NAIROBI — Kenya's education authorities have unveiled a series of measures aimed at tackling a growing wave of unrest in schools, including the formation of a national committee to investigate the causes of student disturbances and recommend long-term solutions.

Speaking at Jogoo House on Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government was treating recent incidents with urgency after a string of disturbances disrupted learning in schools across the country.

The announcement comes at a time of heightened concern among parents, teachers and education officials following several cases of student unrest, vandalism and fires reported in recent weeks.

"We shall be forming a multi-stakeholder team to look into the issues and causes of unrest and make recommendations on strategies for containing this challenge," Ogamba said.

The committee will bring together education stakeholders to examine the factors driving the unrest and propose measures aimed at preventing future incidents.

Officials have not yet outlined the committee's membership or timeline, but the move signals a shift towards a broader examination of the challenges facing learners and schools.

Parents Drawn Into the Response

As part of the government's response, schools have been directed to urgently convene Parents Association meetings to discuss student welfare and assess conditions within their institutions.

Ogamba said stronger cooperation between parents, teachers and school administrators would be essential in identifying concerns before they escalate into larger disciplinary problems.

The ministry has also instructed schools to strengthen guidance and counselling services and improve channels through which students can raise complaints or seek support.

Education experts have long argued that unresolved grievances, academic pressure and limited communication between students and school management can contribute to unrest if left unaddressed.

The Cabinet Secretary urged school leaders to respond promptly to concerns raised by learners and create environments where students feel heard.

Safety Audits and School Reviews

County and Sub-County Education Offices have also been directed to conduct targeted safety assessments, particularly in schools considered vulnerable to unrest.

The reviews will focus on compliance with safety requirements, emergency preparedness and the overall wellbeing of learners.

The latest measures follow increased scrutiny of safety standards in boarding schools after recent incidents raised questions about infrastructure, supervision and crisis response mechanisms.

Changes to the Academic Calendar

Alongside the new interventions, Ogamba announced plans to revise the school calendar beginning next year.

Under the proposal, school terms will be adjusted to create a more balanced distribution of learning weeks throughout the academic year.

"Starting next academic year, the Ministry shall rationalise the school calendar to ensure balanced terms across the school year," he said.

The ministry believes a more evenly structured calendar could help reduce learner fatigue and ease academic pressure.

However, Ogamba ruled out any immediate changes to the current term schedule. Schools will proceed with the planned mid-term break from June 24 to June 28.

Warning Against Violence

While acknowledging that students may have legitimate concerns, the Cabinet Secretary stressed that acts of arson, vandalism and violence would not be tolerated.

He reminded principals and school heads of their responsibility to address emerging issues quickly and warned that those found responsible for criminal acts would face legal consequences.

"There can be no justification for actions that result in loss of life or destruction of property," he said.

As investigations continue into recent incidents, education officials hope the combination of dialogue, safety reviews and student support programmes will help restore stability and confidence in schools across the country.

For many parents, however, the success of the reforms will depend on whether they address not only the symptoms of unrest but also the deeper challenges facing learners in an increasingly demanding education system.