New Task Force, Balanced School Calendar: Ogamba’s Response to School Crisis
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has finally broken his silence on the wave of student unrest that has disrupted learning across the country, unveiling a series of measures aimed at addressing what has become one of the most pressing challenges facing Kenya’s education sector.
Speaking for the first time since the unrest intensified, Ogamba said the government was treating the situation with the seriousness it deserves and warned that those found responsible for acts of violence, arson, and destruction of property would face the full force of the law.
The CS’s remarks come as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic Utumishi Girls Academy fire in Gilgil, which claimed the lives of 16 students and triggered renewed concern over safety, discipline, and student welfare in schools. The tragedy has since been followed by a fresh wave of unrest in dozens of learning institutions across the country.
According to Ogamba, a preliminary analysis conducted by education stakeholders has identified several factors contributing to the unrest. These include leadership challenges within schools, anxiety among learners, examination-related pressure, poor conditions in some boarding facilities, drug and substance abuse, demanding school routines, peer influence, and copycat behavior among students.
The CS also noted that some students have been demanding early closure of schools, a factor that authorities believe has contributed to tensions in certain institutions. He stressed that while learners may have legitimate concerns, there can be no justification for actions that endanger lives or destroy property.
In response to the growing crisis, the Ministry of Education has announced plans to establish a multi-stakeholder task force that will review the root causes of student unrest and recommend long-term interventions. The team is expected to bring together education experts, school administrators, parents, and other stakeholders to develop solutions aimed at preventing future disruptions.
However, the decision to form a new task force has sparked debate among education experts, some of whom argue that the causes of school unrest are already well documented. Critics point to previous commissions and inquiries established after major school tragedies, including the 2001 Kyanguli Secondary School fire that claimed 67 lives, saying numerous recommendations have already been made but remain largely unimplemented.
Some education analysts contend that rather than creating another committee, the government should focus on implementing existing recommendations that address issues such as student welfare, guidance and counseling, school management, and safety standards.
Beyond the task force, Ogamba announced that the Ministry of Education will review the academic calendar beginning next year. One of the key proposals is to balance the school terms by reducing the length of the second term, which has often been criticized for placing excessive pressure on learners and teachers.
The CS acknowledged that examination-related stress has emerged as a major factor in school unrest. Education experts have long argued that Kenya’s examination culture creates immense pressure on students, with some describing national exams as high-stakes events that can significantly influence a learner’s future opportunities.
As part of the intervention measures, schools have also been directed to urgently convene meetings with parents to discuss student welfare, school conditions, and emerging concerns. The ministry hopes that stronger engagement between schools and families will help identify grievances before they escalate into unrest.
Additionally, schools have been instructed to strengthen guidance and counseling programmes, with greater emphasis being placed on mental health support, conflict resolution, and emotional well-being. Education officials believe that improving support systems within schools could help address many of the underlying frustrations driving student protests.
Despite calls from some quarters for an early closure of schools, the government has maintained that the academic calendar will remain unchanged for now. The scheduled midterm break will proceed as planned later this month, with authorities insisting that learning should continue uninterrupted in schools that remain stable.
The latest measures come at a critical time for the education sector, which is facing mounting pressure from parents, teachers, and policymakers seeking answers to the recurring problem of school unrest. While the government’s proposals have been welcomed by some stakeholders, others argue that meaningful change will depend not on new reports, but on the implementation of solutions that have already been identified over many years.
As schools continue to grapple with the crisis, attention will now shift to whether the ministry’s latest interventions can restore calm, rebuild confidence among parents and learners, and prevent further tragedies in learning institutions across the country.
