MPs Want Ministry to Introduce Clear Rules on Student Discipline in Schools

The National Assembly Committee on Education has urged the Ministry of Education to establish clear student discipline regulations.

Lawmakers say schools need effective procedures to address indiscipline, violence and attacks involving learners and teachers.

The committee, chaired by Julius Melly, raised the concerns during discussions on seven proposed education reform Bills.

Officials from the State Department for Basic Education, led by Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa, presented submissions.

Members questioned Clause 19 of the Basic Education Bill, 2026, over its provisions on learner protection.

The clause prohibits corporal punishment and other forms of mistreatment but does not clearly outline disciplinary measures.

Lawmakers warned that the absence of clear procedures could complicate efforts to maintain order in schools.

They argued that teachers and school administrators need legal guidance when handling serious student misconduct.

Melly Raises Concerns Over School Indiscipline

Melly said some schools were struggling to maintain discipline because teachers feared taking action against offending learners.

He argued that existing legal protections could leave administrators uncertain about their authority.

“Schools are now ungovernable. Teachers are very unsafe since students can wake up and manhandle a teacher and they cannot do anything since the student is protected by the law,” Melly said.

The committee chairperson also cited alleged attacks involving learners and incidents of violence against fellow students.

He referred to cases involving students being burnt to illustrate the severity of the concerns.

Lawmakers maintained that protecting learners from abuse should not prevent schools from enforcing legitimate disciplinary measures.

They called for a balance between safeguarding students' rights and protecting teachers, learners and school property.

The proposed regulations are expected to clarify how schools should handle different categories of misconduct.

Ministry to Develop Student Discipline Regulations

Ololtuaa acknowledged that the Education Cabinet Secretary would need to develop regulations addressing student discipline.

He explained that Clause 19, particularly subsections 2 and 3, prohibits corporal punishment and cruel treatment.

The provisions also prohibit torture and physical or psychological mistreatment of learners.

Ololtuaa said the regulations would cover different disciplinary issues, including circumstances under which students could be suspended.

“On issues of discipline the CS must be able to come up with regulations to capture all those aspects,” he told the committee.

The proposed guidelines could establish procedures for handling learners accused of serious misconduct.

They could also clarify how disciplinary decisions should be reached and when particular measures may apply.

However, the regulations must respect learners' legal rights and prevent arbitrary or discriminatory punishment.

Legal Expert Supports Review of Discipline Framework

Professor Collins Odote, Chairperson of the Council of Legal Education, also supported reviewing the existing disciplinary framework.

Odote accompanied the State Department for Basic Education delegation during its submissions to the committee.

He acknowledged that the current system presented challenges requiring further attention.

The committee's concerns are emerging as Parliament considers proposed reforms to the country's basic education framework.