Education CS Ogamba Forms Multi-Stakeholder Team to Address Rising School Unrest
Education Updated: 28 June 2026 16:51 EAT
Photo courtesy : Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba
The government has constituted a multi-stakeholder team to investigate the growing cases of unrest in secondary schools and recommend practical measures to improve discipline and learner welfare. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the team will comprise representatives from parents' associations, teachers, school sponsors, religious organisations and the Ministry of Education.
The taskforce was unveiled following an increase in student unrest reported in several secondary schools during the second term. According to the ministry, the team has been mandated to examine the root causes of the disturbances and propose both immediate and long-term interventions aimed at preventing future incidents.
Ogamba said the government is taking a collaborative approach because addressing school unrest requires the involvement of all stakeholders responsible for the education and well-being of learners. He noted that schools, parents, sponsors and communities all have a critical role in nurturing responsible and disciplined students.
The Cabinet Secretary disclosed that 204 senior secondary schools had experienced incidents of unrest. However, he emphasized that the affected institutions account for less than two percent of all senior secondary schools in the country, adding that the vast majority of schools have continued to operate normally.
He further noted that about 98 percent of schools have remained stable despite the isolated incidents. Most of the reported unrest cases have occurred in boarding schools, while day schools have recorded relatively fewer disruptions.
According to preliminary findings by the Ministry of Education, several factors have contributed to the unrest. These include examination pressure, leadership and governance challenges within schools, poor communication between students and administrators, demanding school routines, inadequate boarding facilities and the influence of drugs and substance abuse.
The ministry also identified peer influence and copycat behaviour as significant contributors, with incidents in one school often triggering similar unrest in neighbouring institutions. Demands by some learners for early school closure have also featured among the issues raised during investigations.
Ogamba said the newly established team will engage learners, teachers, school boards, parents, sponsors and education officers to gather views from across the country before preparing recommendations for implementation.
As part of immediate interventions, the Cabinet Secretary directed all schools to convene Parents Association meetings to discuss learner welfare, strengthen collaboration between schools and families and identify emerging issues affecting students before they escalate.
The Ministry of Education has also instructed schools to reinforce guidance and counselling programmes and improve internal mechanisms for handling student grievances. The government believes effective counselling and open communication channels can help resolve disputes before they develop into acts of unrest.
County Directors of Education and Sub-County Directors have further been directed to carry out targeted safety assessments in schools and closely monitor institutions considered to be at a higher risk of experiencing unrest. School heads have also been reminded of their responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of learners.
Ogamba assured parents that learning in most institutions has continued uninterrupted, noting that 59 affected schools had already resumed normal operations after restoring order. He said other schools were expected to reopen once the necessary safety measures had been put in place.
The Cabinet Secretary also announced that the Ministry is reviewing the national school calendar beginning next year. The proposed changes are intended to create a more balanced academic programme, including a shorter second term, to ease pressure on learners and teachers.
The government has expressed confidence that the recommendations from the multi-stakeholder team, together with strengthened parental involvement, enhanced counselling services and improved school management, will help restore discipline, improve learner welfare and create a safer and more conducive learning environment across the country's schools.
Tags: Education Education Ministry Julius Ogamba Ministry Of Education Minstry Of Education Signs Signs Media Signs Media Kenya Limited Signs Tv Signsmedia Signst Signstv Signstvkenya Special Needs Education Ssignstv Edit Editor's Pick Editors choice
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD