Attributing Factors to Rise In Death of Teanagers in Schools
Many deaths of teenagers have been reported in schools in the recent past. The most recent is the death of Enock Kipkoech who was a Student at St Theresa’s Primary School in Kericho County.
When his parents left him in school, they did not know that it would be their last time together – and the parting would be forever.
The boy was a candidate. It is alleged that the boy took his life after alleged corporal punishment meted out to him by a teacher.
A post-mortem report indicates the boy had deep spots and broken arteries at the back and dead arteries on the buttocks.
It is alleged that the Kipkoech was called to the staffroom by a teacher, who punished him. The boy was seen later coming out while crying. He headed to the toilet straight where he hanged self.
His death is among many cases of learners dying in school. Though no official statistics exist, the numbers being reported are not encouraging.
August this year, 18-year-old student at Maseno School died by suicide after they reported from the half-term break. The Form Three student is alleged to have jumped out of the dormitory window in the early hours of the morning, but his family is not convinced by the version of the story.
13-year-old boy in turkana County took his own life on September 14 after his mother confronted him over poor results. He was in Standard 7 at Harmony Academy and is said to have hanged himself in his parents’ house.
Yet in a different incident a 16-year-old girl hanged herself in the dormitory in one of the schools in Machakos County, on August 31. It is said that she hanged herself after being accused of stealing and the Deputy principal asked her to return stolen items.
According to psychologist, most of these deaths are attributed to the Following factors :
> social and academic pressure due to squeezed academic year.
> Parenting, more children growing up with single parents
> Mental illnesses due to stressful and abusive homes which make them feel hopeless
> Drug abuse
>Inability to solve problems
> Depression
> Family-related, physiological stress and spiritual issues
