Senators press education officials on student safety

Senators have asked the Ministry of Education to come clean on the status of the education sector following disruptions to learning caused by strikes and fires.

They also want an audit carried out of the funds allocated to bursaries by the national government and counties.

Lawmakers demanded that the ministry implement comprehensive training in safety protocols, first aid, emergency response and violence management.

The calls follow the September 5 fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy that killed 21 boys.

Senators Karung’o Thang’wa (Kiambu), Karen Nyamu (nominated) and Tom Odhiambo Ojienda (Kisumu) said the ministry needs to explain to Kenyans the measures they are taking to protect students.

Cost of education

The ministry, Thang’wa said, needs to audit funds allocated to bursaries by the national government and counties and consolidate funds distributed by government entities and agencies with the aim of directing the money directly to schools as supplementary capitation to facilitate the achievement of free secondary education.

Educations officials also need to calculate the cost of education per student in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and make the information public.

He said about Sh656 billion was allocated to the education sector in the 2024-25 financial year but it was “difficult to ascertain the specific funds granted to each student”.

He added that there is “lack of transparency in the disbursement of bursaries from various agencies, making it difficult to determine the total amount allocated in a financial year, thus hindering efforts to ensure equitable access to education for financially disadvantaged students”.

Thang’wa’s sentiment come weeks after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula directed National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge to draft a new law that will amalgamate all bursaries supporting needy students into one kitty.

In a letter to the ministry, Njoroge said: “The Speaker of the National Assembly has instructed the office of the Clerk to formulate a legislative proposal establishing a defined structure for the administration of public bursaries and scholarships.

“This is to therefore request that you furnish us with any relevant information in possession of the ministry that may assist in drafting the legislative proposal, including any existing policy document or draft bill.”

Meanwhile, Senator Nyamu has expressed concerns about insecurity, violence, accidents and other safety issues reported at primary and secondary schools.

Many schools, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, she noted, lack the necessary resources and expertise to manage safety risks effectively thus exposing students and staff to potential harm.

She called on the ministry to recruit and deploy dedicated safety officers at schools nationwide; implement comprehensive training in safety protocols, first aid, emergency response and violence management; and provide necessary resources to support schools, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, to effectively deploy and utilise safety officers.

Teachers’ strikes

Ojienda sought a statement on the safety of students at schools. He wants the ministry to state the factors that have contributed to recurring teachers’ strikes and explain how strikes in August and September impacted learners and the school calendar.

He also wants officials to outline the steps the government has taken to permanently address grievances expressed by teachers and ensure that they do not lead to industrial action in the future.

He said: “Provide details of the current terms of employment, salaries and benefits for teachers serving in public schools at various cadres, explaining how these terms, salaries and benefits compare with those of teachers serving in private schools.”