What is causing strikes in schools?
SIR— A lot of strikes have taken place in many schools, leading to destruction of property. More are yet to take place, if the causes are not addressed.
SIR— A lot of strikes have taken place in many schools, leading to destruction of property. More are yet to take place, if the causes are not addressed. These riots are caused by the conduct of school authorities, the behaviour of students and to some extent the parents.
l On the part of management, some headteachers are absentee administrators. They have other businesses they do. They only come to school either to dismiss students or to attend board of governors and PTA meetings. Listening and resolving students and staff problems is not their priority. When these grievances accumulate with no solution students strike out of frustration.
l Some headteachers are corrupt, misappropriating funds at the expense of students’ and staff welfare, resulting in discontent and poor performance. This leads to strikes in some schools.
l Rivalry among school administrators who use students to sort out their problems, by inciting students against one another e.g. headteacher and deputies, director of studies and board of governors. Some of these parties use students to sort out their wrangles hence leading to strikes.
l Some student riots are due to communication breakdown between the administration and students. In some schools, student councils and prefects are non-functional because they are undermined and not respected, to the extent that when there is a problem the administration only knows when the students are rioting.
l Student indiscipline, drugs, booze cause strikes.
l Some students also fear exams and have no purpose in life.
l There are reports of
insurance companies
influencing students to burn schools to get clients.
Edson Oyera
Kampala
l On the part of management, some headteachers are absentee administrators. They have other businesses they do. They only come to school either to dismiss students or to attend board of governors and PTA meetings. Listening and resolving students and staff problems is not their priority. When these grievances accumulate with no solution students strike out of frustration.
l Some headteachers are corrupt, misappropriating funds at the expense of students’ and staff welfare, resulting in discontent and poor performance. This leads to strikes in some schools.
l Rivalry among school administrators who use students to sort out their problems, by inciting students against one another e.g. headteacher and deputies, director of studies and board of governors. Some of these parties use students to sort out their wrangles hence leading to strikes.
l Some student riots are due to communication breakdown between the administration and students. In some schools, student councils and prefects are non-functional because they are undermined and not respected, to the extent that when there is a problem the administration only knows when the students are rioting.
l Student indiscipline, drugs, booze cause strikes.
l Some students also fear exams and have no purpose in life.
l There are reports of
insurance companies
influencing students to burn schools to get clients.
Edson Oyera
Kampala