Group Pushes for Re-introduction of Mandatory Paramilitary Training for Kenyan High School Leavers

A Kenyan lobby group has launched a petition seeking to have mandatory paramilitary training for high school leavers reintroduced.

In a petition to be presented to the National Assembly, the Peoples’ Power Watch wants Members of Parliament to pass a legislation requiring form four leavers to undergo mandatory paramilitary training at the National Youth Service (NYS) before joining tertiary institutions.

The lobby group argues that the move would “boost discipline in the country” as well as instill a sense of responsibility on the youths.

“When NYS training was mandatory … learners in higher learning institutions were highly disciplined, unlike current students. Our learners should be equipped with paramilitary training to respond to disasters and get patriotism training,” says People’s Power Watch Chairman Jesse Karanja.

Karanja says that this will also reduce the increased cases of alcohol, drug abuse and other anti-social behaviours among the young people.

“We need to empower our youth before they join higher learning institutions. If they had undergone this training, cases of love triangle murders at universities and colleges would be minimal. All these are the result of indiscipline,” Karanja adds.

Kenyan high school leavers had been undergoing the program until late 1980s, when it was discontinued.