National Chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA) Indimuli Kahi has expressed concern that the anti-government protests that kicked off today will disrupt learning in schools.
Indimuli said the protests will adversely affect the school calendar which is already reeling under the effects of Covid 19 pandemic.
“We are trying to catch up and resume normal programs due to the pandemic and the demonstrations will further exacerbate the situation,” he said.
Speaking to the press in his office at Machakos Boys the KSSHA national chairman asked President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to resolve their issues amicably to avert a crisis.
Indimuli said following the protests many learners and teachers will not report to school due to the heightened tension and disruption of transport.
“There is a likelihood that many schools will not open their doors starting today. On average learners in secondary schools will lose 20 contact hours, while junior secondary and primary schools will lose close to 18 and 14 learning hours respectively for the three days,” he noted.
The national chairman further noted that the ongoing secondary schools’ regional ballgames have been thrown into limbo following the planned protests.
“There is a lot of traveling during these games and most likely the students might be caught up in the mayhem associated with the demonstrations,” he added.
Indimuli appealed to protesters to keep off learning institutions to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers.
“Schools should be a no-go zone. Our children are our future and we must protect our future,” he said.
He called on the police to exercise restraint when quelling the protests and desist from throwing teargas in schools as witnessed last week.
“Effort must be taken to ensure no throwing of teargas in schools,” said the KSSHA chair.”Most primary schools have very young children who don’t have the skills and knowledge on how to react in such situations while in secondary schools it may cause stampede that can have devastating effects,” he asserted.