‘Mandatory drug tests in schools is illegal,’ Education stakeholders hit out at CS Magoha's directive
![‘Mandatory drug tests in schools is illegal,’ Education stakeholders hit out at CS Magoha's directive ‘Mandatory drug tests in schools is illegal,’ Education stakeholders hit out at CS Magoha's directive](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/9216/conversions/milemba-og_image.jpg)
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) chairperson Omboko Milemba. PHOTO|COURTESY
Education stakeholders now want Education Cabinet Secretary
George Magoha to overturn a directive requiring high school students to undergo a mandatory drug test.
Education experts allege that the exercise which was first
piloted at Maranda School is a violation of the children's rights and their
privacy and should be settled before court.
Parents, teachers and lawyers also buy in the same claim
and have faulted CS Magoha’s directive.
“The exercise violates various sections of the Constitution
that touch on the right to privacy, children's rights and discrimination, and must
be stopped. It is an unnecessary intrusion on children’s lives,” Lawyer Ken Echesa
stated.
Echesa argued that government engagement with the learners
would be more beneficial as compared to the tests which even if turned out to
be negative would alter their behavioural change and victimize them.
“The government should engage stakeholders such as parents
and children to voluntarily participate in the exercise. And it must be aimed
at helping children, not to victimize,” said Echesa.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet)
national chairperson Omboko Milemba on his part stated that the
Ministry should halt the illegal process terming it 'unprofessional'.
“This act is unprofessional, unconstitutional and illegal.
It is also not in line with the training of children; it violates the Children’s Act
and must be stopped," Milemba said.
Milemba who also doubles up as Emuhaya MP and a member of
the National Assembly Education Committee faulted the CS saying that he should
have involved stakeholders before enforcing the law on students.
“Does Magoha consult? Does he even talk to his staff or
other Education stakeholders; or even experts in his office? Because if he
does, then he should have been told that this is illegal and immoral,” said
Milemba,” Magoha said.
The lawmaker identified the process as ‘forced’ to students
and thus would not serve the intended purpose and suggested that the government
should find alternative means such as guidance and counselling options.
“Forced tests will make children develop hard-line stand and
even get hardened. They will adopt bad behaviour and challenge teachers that
they were cleared of any drug abuse,” said Milemba.
Faith Nafula, a counseling psychologist, overlooked the
operation saying it is not the ultimate solution to indiscipline in schools.
“You do not have to be taking drugs for you to exhibit
indiscipline. We have other forms of indiscipline in schools like bullying,
that is done with sober boys and girls,” said Nafula.
She added: “There is more to that than just testing. The
students might have their own reasons as to why they are burning schools.
Substance abuse may contribute to their mal behavior but there could be more to
it.”
Parents consequently called for the process to be stopped
noting that it was not a voluntary exercise and their consent was not called
for.
Nicholas Maiyo, national parents’ association chairman said the fact
that tests are done in schools can lead to teachers discriminating against
some students.
“Let parents decide what they wish for their children and
let them do it voluntarily,” Maiyo said.
“As it is now the mandatory testing in schools is
unacceptable and it can be used by some teachers to punish students they wish
to victimize,” he added.
Last month, CS Magoha said the tests would be vital in identifying
errant students before isolating them to ensure schools run smoothly.
“The problem we are facing now starts at home. We have
children who are being given everything they ask for at home and when they come
to school, they expect to get the same treatment,” said Magoha.
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