While teachers have traditionally been the discipline enforcers in schools, laws and student behavior have changed significantly in the last decade.

No legal framework for teachers to enforce discipline in schools

Regardless of societal expectations, teacher's responsibilities and conduct should be guided by the existing laws.

The Ministry of Education had banned corporal punishment in schools. While Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha seemed to reverse the decision, the practice remains illegal according to the law.

While some teachers believe that they can use corporal punishment within limits, it can still be interpreted as assault by law. You also risk unintentionally hurting the student, thus exacerbating an already bad situation.

Additionally, the current teacher education curriculum does not cover student discipline, thus suggesting it's not part of teacher's responsibility.

Similarly, there is no legal framework recognizing teachers as enforcers of law and order in schools.

Students have become too dangerous

Students have become too aggressive and dangerous for teachers to handle.

For example, a student was arrested in Nakuru for allegedly killing a teacher who confiscated his mobile phone.
Similarly, another form 3 student was arrested after stabbing a teacher in Kisii.

"I have been threatened by students after attempting to punish them for sneaking from class," says Mr. Njuguna. "Since then, my work is to document and report for the administration to take appropriate action."

Cases of armed and dangerous students are rising across the world.

Consequently, the ability of the teacher to enforce discipline at school is dimishing because educators are not equipped like law enforcement officers to handle dangerous individuals.

Some teachers punish students with the good intention of helping them to take education seriously and get better grades.

However, there is no evidence that punishment improves students' grades.

"All the students I have tried to push to perform well have ended up performing as poorly as those I didn't try to help," says Mrs. Kamau.

Academic performance depends on many factors including the child's ability and interest.

"Students who want to pass will always work hard on their own and approach teachers for assistance," she adds. "It's very difficult to ignore a determined child and equally hard to change a disinterested one."

Other students have different abilities unrelated to academics, while others are just weak academically and it's important to accept that fact, Mrs. Kamau explained.

"In our time, teachers punished us to get good grades but most of the students who received the most punishment never performed any better," she adds.

"Some of us thank our teachers for pushing us, but I don't believe our grades were the result of that punishment. My deskmate usually contemplated of killing a certain teacher who usually punished him and reminded him how capable he was."

"Students may not articulate how disinterested they are and will play along to avoid punishment without actually putting any affort to improve. Punishment also creates fear and resentment."

"It's for the same reason that torture is not an effective method of interrogation. People will just do anything to avoid the pain."

"You can only encourage and assist students to perform better. Those interested will respond positively and take the opportunity. It will also save you a lot of energy and frustration and protect your from unnecessary trouble."

"Some colleagues think am a bad teacher for being less pushy. It's because I know what works and what doesn't."

"Parents also blame us for not pushing students to perform better, but I always remind them that charity begins at home. If a child ignores his or her parents, there's very little I can do as a teacher."

"Some parents have asked me to flog their children to make them perform better. I've always reminded them that punishment doesn't work and they can always try the same at home."

"Even if flogging had the smallest chance of improving grades, a lot is at stake for me. I could lose my job or end up in prison. These outweigh the benefits of forcing a student to pass."

"Once a mistake occurs, everybody blames all teachers. But nobody remembers to thank them when they change the course of lost students."

"Besides most well-behaved and performing students already lack enough attention from the teachers. Focusing on those is more productive than putting your life on the line for someone who will not improve after all and might be planning on killing you."

"I have helped many students who take my advice or approach me for assistance. I'm only too willing to help. But once I know a student has switched off, I can't put my life at risk for someone who might not even appreciate it."

" I consider myself an academic consultant, not a performance enforcer. As a consultant, I can give you advice, but I can't force you to take it. I approach my students as my clients. I only have as much authority as they grant me and only proceed if they're interested," Mrs. Kamau concluded.