Former KNUT Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has called for the reintroduction of student suspensions and expulsions, arguing that school administrators need stronger disciplinary measures to address rising cases of unrest and criminal behaviour in learning institutions.
Speaking during an interview on challenges facing the education sector, Sossion maintained that while corporal punishment should not be brought back, schools should be allowed to remove students who pose a threat to others.
“I’m not saying bring back the cane, but we must find another way of helping school management to exclude such students. Even allowing expulsion and suspension should be brought back,” the former nominated MP said.
According to Sossion, students identified as being capable of engaging in criminal activities within schools should be excluded, noting that the practice is common in many education systems globally.
He also urged the Ministry of Education to strengthen quality assurance in schools by fully implementing provisions of the Basic Education Act that establish a robust monitoring framework.
At the same time, Sossion linked increasing cases of school unrest to overcrowding and poor living conditions in many institutions.
He criticized over-enrolment, saying the government’s 100 per cent transition policy was never intended to create congestion in schools.
“It did not call for over-enrolment and congestion of schools,” he said.
The former union leader further pointed to overcrowded dormitories, poor sanitation and inadequate student welfare as some of the factors fuelling frustration among learners.
He also called for more open dialogue between students and school administrators, arguing that schools that encourage communication and address learners’ concerns are less likely to experience unrest.
“A very open administration is where students are open to criticize and speak issues,” Sossion said.
He concluded by emphasizing that schools that listen to students and prioritize their welfare will never burn their school.
