“Busia Woman Rep and ODM’s Catherine Omanyo Calls for ‘Controlled Punishment’ in Schools to Curb Rising Student Unrest”

 Busia Woman Representative and ODM Acting Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo has sparked debate by calling for the reintroduction of limited punishment in schools as a solution to rising cases of student indiscipline and unrest.

Speaking during a meeting with ODM youths in Matayos Sub-county, Omanyo said the abolition of corporal punishment has contributed to escalating indiscipline in schools, leading to property destruction and even loss of lives.

"We should bring back controlled punishment in our schools to help deal with indiscipline. The situation we are witnessing today is partly because discipline measures were scrapped," Omanyo said.

The seasoned politician also pointed fingers at parents, accusing some of undermining teachers and failing to guide their children. She noted that parents often threaten legal action against educators instead of supporting discipline.

"As parents, we must spend time with our children, guide them, and instil good morals and values. Discipline is not just the responsibility of teachers or the Ministry of Education—it’s a collective effort involving parents, teachers, religious leaders, and the government," she said.

Omanyo urged students to adopt peaceful ways of resolving personal challenges rather than resorting to disruptive behavior.

"If you are not ready to sit for an examination, inform your teacher and request permission to leave instead of disrupting the entire school," she advised.

She also proposed strengthening day schools and gradually reducing reliance on boarding schools, arguing that this could reduce cases of unrest and fatalities in some institutions.

"We need to equip our day schools so that more learners can study from home. We cannot continue taking our children to school only to lose them while they are there," Omanyo said.

Her remarks come amid growing national concern over student unrest, prompting calls for urgent measures to restore discipline in schools while balancing the rights and safety of learners.