County Holds Dialogue With Parents Over Rising Indiscipline in Nairobi Schools

Nairobi County officials recently convened a high-level forum with parents across the city to address a worrying surge in student indiscipline. The meeting brought together county education leaders, law enforcement, school administrators, and parent representatives to discuss growing cases of school unrest, damage to property, and behavioral breakdowns blamed on both peer influence and a lack of parental oversight.
Tensions have escalated in Nairobi schools amid reports of vandalism, conflicts, and behavioral issues among learners. According to local research, contributing factors include inadequate parental engagement and substance abuse. In one Nairobi-focused study, poor parental guidance and limited supervision were listed among the main drivers of misbehavior in public schools. IR Library At the forum, county representatives emphasized the importance of restoring discipline through a joint approach—encouraging parents to actively participate in mentoring, school governance and peer-counseling efforts.
Parents at the dialogue expressed a mix of frustration and resolve. Some acknowledged that indiscipline had become a burden on both their budgets and their children’s futures. The Nairobi Regional Commissioner recently called for increased monitoring and community involvement to curb the rising trends. Kenya News Meanwhile, parent-leaders urged that guidance and counseling services in schools be strengthened, proposing regular follow-ups and community training sessions to minimize behavior risks.
Looking forward, officials say they intend to institutionalize these dialogues as part of Nairobi’s broader education strategy. Plans include setting up a parents’ advisory council to work alongside schools and county authorities, conducting regular behavior-monitoring workshops, and expanding counseling resources. If sustained, the initiative could help young learners develop better accountability and strengthen collaboration between families and schools in keeping discipline alive in Nairobi’s urban classrooms.