Parents have abdicated their responsibilities, says clergy

Parents have been blamed for abdicating their responsibilities leading to indiscipline among children.

East Africa PCEA head Rt Rev Patrick Mutahi said the unrest in schools was a true reflection of how rotten the society has become.

Mutahi spoke at Madogo PCEA church in Tana River on Sunday.

The government hurriedly organised for a half-term break for students after school fires partly blamed on the squeezed education calendar.

Learning resumed on Tuesday.

Experts have linked the students unrest to challenges in and out of the school system, with many calling for the scrapping of boarding schools.

Mutahi, however, says it boils down to parents as children learn from example.

“They copy you as a society and it is a pity we have become one that thrives on lawlessness. We are always on the streets chanting ‘haki yetu’ and then you expect our children will be disciplined when they go to school?" he said.

“How do you expect your child to be disciplined as he or she grows up when you did not mould him or her to be one?"

Proper upbringing, he said, involves moulding the child in a religious environment noting that the word of God keeps one grounded throughout.

Mutahi said the majority of children misbehaving have not been brought up in a church environment.

“If parents are constantly quarrelling in front of the children, how do you expect them to have respect and be well mannered? We all need to style up and change if we are to have a good society,” he said.

Last week, Northeastern regional commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana toured Garissa High School to assess the fire damage in one of the dormitories.

He said stern action would be taken against those destroying school or college property.

“Investigations are ongoing into the arson attacks and those who were involved will be prosecuted. This will serve as a deterrent to others,” Ndalana said.

In a circular dated November 9, Education PS Julius Jwan directed regional and county directors of education to deny transfer letters to students involved in any form of indiscipline.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)