Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha instructed teachers to confiscate all small-bottle sanitizers from all learners.

The CS, who spoke at Our Lady of Fatima Secondary School in Kariobangi, Nairobi County said some students had been using hand sanitizers to start fires in schools.

“I want to tell teachers that they must not allow small-bottle sanitizers into schools. If any child has portable sanitizer, it should be taken and kept and given when the child is leaving school,” said Magoha.

Prof Magoha revealed that the government had already noted that a fire was started using a sanitizer in one of the schools.

He further called on law enforcement agencies to take stern action against the perpetrators of identified cases and asked teachers to take care of themselves.

He blamed parents over the increased student attacks on teachers terming them as ‘negligent’ and not giving their children tough love and treating them like eggs during the nine months they stayed home due to the pandemic.

“For nine months a child has been at home and you’ve been treating him like an egg and you expect the Principal to instil in him discipline, what do you think will happen?” he pondered.

His worry comes after the country has seen several students arrested for indiscipline in schools.