The wave of fires is back. This is a perennial problem that has not only led to the loss of property worth millions, but also the loss of innocent lives.
This year, close to 50 schools have been razed.
This has been on an upward trend that seems to go on unabated.
Many of the affected schools have been forced to close for a given period, for investigations and repairs to the damaged property.
In the past few months, cases of school fires have been reported in several schools in Busia, Vihiga, Nairobi, Nyeri, Nakuru and Migori.
Several students from Buru Buru Girls High School are currently admitted to the hospital with injuries sustained after a fire broke out in one of their dormitories a few days ago.
In the past, Kenya has witnessed the worst infernos that led to the death of many students and left the country dumbfounded.
The most recent ones are Bombululu Girls High School fire tragedy of 1998 that claimed 28 lives and Kyanguli Secondary School tragedy of 2001 where 67 students perished.
Others are Nyeri High School fire tragedy of 1999 where four students died, Endashara Boys Secondary fire tragedy of 2010 that claimed the lives of two students, Asumbi Girls Boarding Primary School where eight girls perished and Moi Girls School fire tragedy where eight students died.
Many of the infernos continue to puzzle investigators. Different theories however have been cited on the causes of the fires.
Given the timing of most of the fire cases, that is, a few weeks or days to exams, many attribute them to anxiety among learners due to inadequate preparation for the exams.
In 2016, cases of school fires were rampant after the government took stern measures to curb exam cheating.
Rogue students working in cohorts with cartels facilitating exam leakage were up in arms about the government’s action.
Furthermore, overloaded curriculum and pressure to clear the syllabus within minimum time is also another factor contributing to a spike in the infernos in our schools.
Students who are unable to cope with the pressure resort to chaotic behaviour.
This year, schools have had to deal with a crash programme after resuming studies from a seven months break.
This might not only be taking a toll on students, but also their teachers who are compelled to work extra hours to clear the syllabus.
In addition, poor parenting has been cited to be one of the major causes of unruly behaviour in our schools.
Other causes of fires in schools include poor communication channels in schools, political influence and transfer of teachers which learners might fail to approve.
In addition, electrical faults in schools may result in infernos. The faults can be a result of shoddy workmanship.
Several efforts have been employed by authorities to counter the fires.
One of them is the arrest and prosecution of the alleged arsonists or masterminds of the infernos.
This is a move in the right direction but not a permanent solution.
It is a knee jerk reaction, hence, does not get to the bottom of the problem in our schools. It instead, seeks to address the symptoms of the malady bedevilling us, which will always be short-lived.
Several measures need to be put in place to address the problems. It is only through concerted efforts from all stakeholders that this menace can be contained.
Guidance and counselling departments should be introduced in all schools to help counsel the students. Students should be listened to and allowed to air their grievances in open fora.
Students should be sensitised to drugs and substance abuse and its dangers. This will help reduce the causes of drug abuse and the chaos related to it.
In addition, there should be proper communication channels in the learning institutions to facilitate smooth communication.
This will help students communicate well without fear of intimidation or victimisation.
Guidance and counselling departments should be introduced in all schools to help counsel the students. Students should be listened to and allowed to air their grievances in open fora.
Parents also, need to be at the forefront in instilling good behaviour in their children in tandem with the morals of society.
Fire drills should be undertaken in schools regularly to help prepare for unavoidable fires.
Politicians should avoid politicising school management issues or keep off school management.
This will help reduce friction between the students’ bodies and the school management.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
