Govt links schools’ unrest to mounting exam pressure
By Emmanuel Rono, June 7, 2026Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has urged school administrators to rethink how learners are assessed, as the government attributed the ongoing wave of student unrest and school fires across the country to mounting examination pressure.
Speaking during a presser on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Bitok said some internal school assessments, particularly mock examinations, are contributing to tension among students.
“There are some of the mock examinations which are creating tension in our schools. We have asked the boards of management and the school management to reconsider, even postponing the mock exams temporarily to ensure that students do not riot,” Bitok said.
This comes barely a week after the tragic fire at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil that claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens injured, more schools continue to report incidents of arson, vandalism, and unrest, renewing concerns over safety in learning institutions.
Dialogue with learners
Bitok urged school leaders to prioritise dialogue with learners and adopt more flexible approaches when dealing with exam-related anxiety.
“Let us have a conversation with the students. If they are not ready for a mock exam, you should be able to engage them, they should be able to tell you if that is what is causing tension in our schools,” he said.
The PS dismissed growing calls for an early midterm break, insisting that learning should continue in most institutions, even as the government rolls out a national safety audit.
“So we are doing everything possible to contain the situation. And as you are already aware, we have directed a national audit for the next 10 days of all our boarding schools to ensure that they meet the safety standards,” Bitok said.
More schools, including Kakamega High School and Kisii School, have been closed following fresh fire outbreaks, with cases reported in counties such as Nakuru, Nairobi, Kiambu, Kisii, Bomet and Kakamega as of June 7, 2026.
School closure
The statement comes days after Bitok ruled out early closure of schools despite reported cases of student unrest in parts of the country.
Speaking in a presser on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Bitok said the government is monitoring the situation but maintained that disruptions remain limited, with most schools operating normally.
He insisted that learning is continuing in the vast majority of institutions.
“Learning is going on without any interruption in our schools. It’s only about less than 100 schools, or rather, about 80 schools, that we have experienced,” he said.
He added that the government is confident in its response mechanisms, noting that the situation is under control.
“And the most fatal one was the one with the kids. There’s no other fatal one. But we are on top of things, and I want to assure all the parents that their learners are safe, their children are safe, and they’ll continue learning without any interruption,” Bitok said.