Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Over 300 secondary schools are in revolt in Kenya and in some cases, the students have sacked and burned the school buildings. The dormitories of Queen of Apostles Minor Seminary in the Archdiocese of Nairobi were also set on fire by the students themselves. Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi called a press conference today, July 23, to explain the Church’s position on the situation.
“The students’ rebellion is affecting mainly state schools, but some private high schools have been affected,” a source from the local Church in Nairobi told Agenzia Fides. “The students do not have any specific demands, just a kind of generalized ‘fear’ of their semester exams.”
“The Kenyan school system is very tough and demands a lot from the youth,” our source explained. “There are many subjects and there are several intermediate exams before the final exam that count towards the diploma. There is also an intense competition among the schools that demand the best of their students in order to receive good marks. The final grade is important in order to enter university. Without good grades, it is very difficult to obtain a university education. Therefore, the youth feel extremely pressured with studies. It is typical for students to get up at three in the morning to study, and they hardly ever get distracted. Those who live in boarding schools often feel abandoned by their families who leave their children at the school and don’t worry any more about them.”
“In short, the youth are subject to a very intense level of stress,” the source said. “However, this does not explain why the violence has exploded all of a sudden. The deterioration of the economy in recent months (the price of food has risen 30-40%) has surely had an influence, as well as the awareness that in spite of the sacrifices they make for their studies, in real life those who go farthest are those who have the best recommendations and supports of some kind. The growing spread of alcohol and drugs among the youth is also a factor in the instability.”
“Lastly, the violence in recent months linked to the political confrontation between the President and the Prime Minister has left its mark. We cannot forget that it was the youth and the students who played a major role in the incidents. Therefore, there is a suspicion that the students’ rebellions are now being encouraged by the local politicians who are using the young people’s frustration for political purposes. In particular, there is a fear that in the Rift Valley – where the most violent incidents were reported – when students return to their homes, more civilian violence could be carried out against those returning to their homes from refugee camps, where they have fled in recent months,” Fides’ source concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2008)
