FROM THE EDITOR

THE media has been awash with stories of teenager arsonists burning schools as a way of hitting back at school administration. Some cases of school fires have been linked to misuse of a prohibited items smuggled into the dormitory.

As schools tighten regulations, students also invent new tricks.

Granted that teenagers are inclined to stretch limits, schools should endeavour to explain the rules. Understanding the ‘why’ of a rule helps a student to be more self-disciplined than obeying rules blindly.

The inspection of students’ property should be done as an integral part of registration process and not a mere routine. Schools should also carry out surprise inspections in the course of the term.

Inspection of students’ property should however, be done professionally. Failing to return confiscated items to students is an unethical behaviour. Even when children break rules they still deserve to be treated with respect.

Controlling the influx of prohibited items into the school remains a complex challenge that schools will continue to grapple with. Since most of the items are packed from home, parents need to be more vigilant in helping teachers to deal with the menace.