MP Nabii Nabwera links school unrest to parental failure
By Sharon Atieno, June 10, 2026The Lugari Member of Parliament, Nabii Nabwera, has blamed the rising wave of unrest in schools on parental neglect and overcrowding in learning institutions, saying the root causes of indiscipline often originate outside the classroom.
Speaking on a local TV station on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Nabwera argued that parents are increasingly abandoning their role in shaping children’s character and values, leaving schools to deal with behavioural challenges that should have been addressed at home.
“The first cause of the rampant schools unrest is parental failure,” he said.
The legislator questioned why some parents choose to take young children to boarding schools at an early age, arguing that learners require close parental guidance during their formative years.
“Why would a parent take a Grade Four toddler to boarding school?” he posed.
Parenting crisis behind school chaos
Nabwera said discipline cannot be left entirely to teachers, noting that schools are increasingly expected to perform parental responsibilities while also delivering quality education.
His remarks mirror sentiments recently expressed by Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who called on parents to take a more active role in mentoring and guiding their children amid rising cases of indiscipline.
“I call upon parents to take a more active role in mentoring and guiding their children,” Wavinya said recently, insisting that strong parental involvement is key to nurturing a disciplined and focused generation.
Overcrowded schools under scrutiny
Beyond parenting, Nabwera singled out school congestion as another major driver of unrest.
“Overcrowding, why would a school have 1,100 Grade 10s?” he asked.
According to the MP, excessive enrolment strains available resources, weakens supervision and creates an environment where frustrations can easily boil over into unrest.
Education stakeholders have previously warned that overcrowded classrooms make it difficult for teachers to provide adequate attention to learners, increasing the likelihood of discipline challenges.
Students only need a trigger
Nabwera warned that unresolved frustrations among students can quickly erupt into chaos.
“Students only need a trigger,” he said.
His remarks come as education leaders continue to raise concerns about factors contributing to unrest, including social media influence and weakening family structures.
Wavinya has similarly cautioned that children often mirror what they observe from adults, stressing that discipline must be reinforced both at home and in school.
The MP called for a collective effort involving parents, teachers, school administrators and policymakers, saying restoring order in schools will require addressing the underlying causes rather than merely responding to incidents after they occur.