Wilson Sossion now wants boarding schools scrapped

Former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion speaking at Kanusin in Sotik Sub-County in Bomet during a burial ceremony. [Gilbert Kimutai, Standard]

ODM nominated MP Wilson Sossion has called for the scrapping of boarding schools to end students’ unrest.

The former Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) secretary-general said the boarding school system was a burden to parents.

“Why are students not burning down classes or laboratories? The government should wake up and face the reality. Boarding systems are costing innocent parents a lot of money,” said Mr Sossion.

“Boarding system should be removed and students allowed being day scholars so that we bring to an end the madness we are seeing now.”

“Unrest in schools has been witnessed since 2008 and the government should not act as if it has started happening now,” the legislator said at Kanusin in Sotik.

He also accused the government of turning a blind eye to the situation.

He said it was sad that recommendations of the Claire Amollo report “are gathering dust” and it was time to implement them.

“The report made a raft of recommendations that should have been implemented so that unrest in schools is brought an end,” he said.

A total of 11 schools in Bomet and Kericho counties have been affected by the unrest. The latest in Bomet is Tenwek High School which was closed after a night of tension as students threatened to go on the rampage.

Others affected are Chebunyo Boys High School, Koiwa Boys’, Chebunyo Boys and Mogor Secondary School.