By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga has called for a review of the law banning corporal punishment in schools, arguing that allowing limited and regulated disciplinary measures could help curb the rising cases of unrest and destruction of property in learning institutions.
Speaking at Munongo Primary School during the commissioning of two newly constructed classrooms and the renovation of six others funded through the NG-CDF, Odanga said there is an urgent need to strengthen school discipline through appropriate legal frameworks.
“We need to revisit the law that abolished punishment in schools because it is one of the factors contributing to increased indiscipline. Proper laws should be put in place to ensure learners who engage in unrest and destruction of property are held accountable,” he said.
The legislator also urged parents to avoid forcing children into boarding schools against their wishes, saying such learners are more likely to become frustrated and engage in destructive behaviour.
“We need to understand why learners are burning dormitories and causing unrest. Those who are not comfortable in boarding schools should be enrolled in day schools because forcing them into boarding institutions increases the risk of indiscipline,” Odanga noted.
He proposed the establishment of a national task force to investigate the root causes of recurring school unrest and recommend sustainable solutions through consultations with key stakeholders, including learners, teachers and parents.
“A task force should be formed to identify the causes of school unrest and propose long-term solutions. Through engagement with all stakeholders, we can find lasting answers to this challenge that has persisted for years,” he said.
On education infrastructure, Odanga called for equitable development of schools across the country, saying learners in rural areas deserve the same quality of facilities as those in urban centres.
“The construction of two classrooms and renovation of six others will provide a better learning environment for our children. There should be no disparity between rural and urban schools because every learner deserves equal opportunities,” he said.
The MP also challenged schools to embrace environmental conservation by increasing tree planting initiatives to combat the effects of climate change.
“Beyond improving infrastructure, we must also protect our environment. Teachers, learners and parents should work together to plant more trees in our schools because Busia County still has low forest cover and we need to improve it,” Odanga said.
