Don’t Force Them: PS Bitok tells school heads to negotiate with students amid unrest
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Basic Education Julius Bitok has directed school principals and teachers across the country, to cease forcing students into examinations, instead advocating for dialogue with the learners. Speaking against a backdrop of school unres..
✨ Key Highlights
Amidst rising school unrest, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, has instructed school heads to prioritize dialogue over force when addressing student concerns, particularly regarding examinations.
- PS Julius Bitok directed school principals and teachers not to force students into taking examinations, advocating for negotiation instead.
- The directive comes in response to recent unrest, including property destruction and school closures, often triggered by mock examinations and Continuous Assessment Tests.
- A national audit of all boarding schools is ordered within 10 days to assess safety compliance, and 1,000 quality assurance officers will be deployed to help contain unrest.
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Government Orders Nationwide Audit of Boarding Schools Amid Rising Unrest - June 2026
The Kenyan government has ordered a nationwide audit of all boarding schools following a surge in student unrest that has led to the closure of several institutions, with inspections assessing compliance with required safety standards. Amidst rising school unrest, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok has instructed school heads to prioritize dialogue over force when addressing student concerns, particularly regarding examinations. A dormitory at Agoro Sare High School was destroyed by fire on June 6 during a parents' visiting day, fueling concerns over a wave of unrest in schools nationwide. Following a spate of school fires across Kenya, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is advocating for a new approach to address the underlying issues.
