School fires and student unrest have once again exposed what education stakeholders describe as the government's failure to act on recommendations that have been sitting on the shelf for years, with experts insisting that launching another task force will do little to solve a problem that has already been studied extensively.
The Ministry of Education is set to gazette a task force to investigate the recent wave of unrest and dormitory fires that has disrupted learning in schools across the country.
While the move is intended to establish the causes of the incidents, education stakeholders argue that previous inquiries already produced detailed findings and practical proposals that have never been fully put into practice.
The Education Stakeholders Association of Kenya (ESAK) says the country does not need another round of investigations but should instead concentrate on implementing the reforms recommended in earlier reports.
“We do not need another task force on school unrest. We already have enough reports that have clearly identified the causes of unrest and proposed practical solutions. What we need now is political will and commitment to implement those recommendations. Forming another task force without addressing the implementation gap will only delay the reforms that schools urgently need,” said ESAK National Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye.
Among the proposals made in previous reports were changes to the school examination calendar, reducing the pressure associated with mock examinations and strengthening guidance and counselling services in schools.
The reports also recommended improving communication between school management and learners, involving students more in decisions affecting school life and improving safety standards as well as school infrastructure.
However, stakeholders say little has changed, pointing out that mock examinations continue to be administered in many schools despite earlier recommendations linking them to pressure that contributes to student unrest.
Elimu Bora Working Group strategist Boaz Waruku said there is no shortage of information on the issue, noting that teachers, parents and education professionals have over the years submitted memoranda explaining the causes of unrest and suggesting practical interventions.
“The country does not have a shortage of reports on school unrest. What we have is a shortage of implementation. The answers are already in government files. Teachers have spoken. Parents have spoken. Education experts have spoken. What is missing is not information,it’s political will,” he said.
Waruku argued that repeatedly appointing task forces without acting on their findings raises concerns about whether there is genuine commitment to dealing with the problem.
“This idea of setting up another task force instead of dealing with the root causes tells you that somebody is either not keen on resolving the matter or is completely incompetent and unable to address it,” he said.
He also questioned whether the proposed task force was aimed at calming public concern rather than tackling the real issues behind the unrest.
National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa supported the formation of the task force but said its work should be guided by findings contained in previous reports instead of beginning a completely new investigation.
“We support the task force because the country needs answers, but it should not start from scratch. It must build on what has already been documented and identify what has not been implemented.”