The National Parents Association has voiced concerns over a directive requiring errant students to be subjected to mandatory drug testing.
This is after Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha said schools had a right to test students in moves aimed at finding out whether they are using drugs or not.
But according to the parents’ association national chairman Nicholas Maiyo, any tests on students, including drug tests, must get consent from a parent/guardian.
Maiyo, in an interview with Uasin Gishu News, notes that legally, a child under 18 years remains in the custody of a parent who has to consent to all matters relating to his or her health.
“Any kind of test, including drug test, HIV, pregnancy or anything related to students’ health, a parent must be involved to give consent before the test is done,” he said.
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The association further notes that if schools will be allowed to test students without parents’ involvement, the process might be misused.
“The mandatory drug testing can be used by the school management to settle scores with students or parents. Some teachers can decide to give false results so that they get an excuse to expel someone,” Maiyo says.
He now insists that should the government insist on subjecting errant students to mandatory drug testing, schools must first seek consent from parents/guardians.
A decision by Maranda High School to demand a drug test for all students sparked a debate as to whether it was right or wrong.
The debate has divided opinions among various stakeholders in the education sector.
