Rampant attacks on teachers due to poor KCSE results spark fears

Days after the release of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, several school heads are now living in fear due to rising incidents of violence in schools over poor performance.

Around 10 schools have reported cases of parents and students storming institutions to demand answers from principals and teachers.

Education stakeholders have strongly condemned the increasing violence against teachers, often fuelled by dissatisfaction with school results. Affected schools this year include Olympic High School (Nairobi), Amariba Mixed Secondary School (Kisii Central), Oginga Odinga Tamu Mixed Secondary School (Muhoroni), St Peter’s Bumala ‘B’ Mixed Day Secondary School, and Kong’Amor Secondary School (Teso South).

Teachers at these schools have threatened to apply for transfers, citing an unfavourable working environment. Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) chairman Willie Kuria condemned the violence against teachers, calling it a security risk. “The indignity and humiliation that teachers were subjected to in front of cheering students is an act of betrayal and disrespect,” said Kuria. One teacher reported being threatened with death, adding that parents and students had not supported the condemnation of the violence.

In Busia County, only three grade ‘A’s were recorded in last year’s KCSE exam out of 170 secondary schools. At Kong’Amor Secondary School in Teso South, parents held peaceful protests demanding a change in the school’s administration. “We only want a change of leadership at the school,” said one parent.

Moses Mbora, Executive Secretary for the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Nairobi County, called the violence unacceptable, emphasising that academic success is a shared responsibility. “It is wrong to solely blame teachers for poor results,” he said, adding that the union would not tolerate such incidents. He described the violence as a violation of teachers’ rights, which shames the profession.

Edward Obwocha, Kuppet Secondary Secretary, urged parents to play a more active role in ensuring students attend classes regularly and pay school fees. “Some parents are neglecting their duty to pay fees while demanding good results. Teachers cannot bear this burden alone,” he said.

National Parents Association chairman Silas Obuhatsa condemned the incidents, saying; “It is unfortunate that rogue individuals are disguising themselves as parents to cause conflict between schools and parents. We call on the government to identify and prosecute these criminals,” he stated, adding that the police should ensure the security of teachers.

Members of Parliament have also weighed in on the issue. Jomvu MP Badi Twalib proposed the establishment of private examination centres to separate students who regularly miss classes, aiming to improve school mean grades.

Kuria called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to defend teachers’ safety. “Our teachers are under attack, and the government must take action. We cannot continue to witness such attacks on our members,” he said.

Last year, TSC was forced to withdraw all 17 teachers from St. Gabriel Isiongo Secondary School in Kakamega County after parents stormed the school and frog-marched the principal over poor results. The school had registered 179 candidates, but only produced two university-entry grades, with the majority scoring D- and four E’s. Former Education CS Ezekiel Machogu disagreed with the decision to withdraw teachers, stating that it deprived learners of their basic rights.