Nairobi School bullies in trouble as Magoha steps in

What you need to know:

  • Prof Magoha said he is aware of another probe by ministry officials but demanded that the school’s leadership inform him directly on the happenings at the institution.

  • In the Nairobi School case, a student is reported to have been seriously injured by prefects.

  • Education boss also ordered a probe into similar claims at the Sawagongo School in Siaya County.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has ordered a parallel probe into reports of bullying at Nairobi School and a school in Siaya County.

Already, the Education ministry has begun an independent investigation at Nairobi School following reports that a student there was seriously injured by prefects.

But Prof Magoha Wednesday demanded another investigation and directed the schools’ leaders to submit a report by next week.

“I know investigations are underway, but on the parallel side, I would like to know directly from the people whom we have entrusted with the children’s life what is going on there,” he said. “I want to know who did it, and what action has been taken.”

“Nobody is empowered to touch a child physically in our schools. If there are prefects or any other human beings terrorising children in school, it must stop,” he added.

Prof Magoha spoke during an impromptu visit to Nanyuki Primary School to oversee the implementation of the new competency-based curriculum.

Recent reports have raised fears that bullying is creeping back into schools, with the practice said to be rampant in boys’ schools, especially in Nairobi.

In March 2017, chilling details of bullying and torture meted out on Form One students by seniors at Alliance High School were reported.

More than 10 students reported being beaten with sticks and electricity cables, slapped and forced to lie on the graves of the school’s founders for hours on end at night and to “swim” on grass.

At least one of the targeted students was reduced to using crutches as a result of the severe beatings.

The horrifying incidents were exposed in a report by Teachers Service Commission and Ministry of Education officers who investigated the matter last month.

‘Action nights’

The bullying happens during “action nights” and “induction sessions” masterminded by prefects, with the full knowledge of the administration.

Prof Magoha also affirmed that the competency-based curriculum was being rolled out efficiently in all schools countrywide, and that he will continue inspecting them to ensure consistency.

He announced that the ministry will hold a stakeholders conference on August 16 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on the programme.

“I’m here to ensure the successful implementation of the competency-based curriculum,” he said. “I can attest that this programme is going on well in the two schools I have visited here in Nanyuki."