The National Assembly has adopted a motion by Nyeri County MP, Hon. Rahab Mukami, seeking the introduction of mandatory guidance and counselling programmes in all primary and secondary schools in Kenya.

The motion highlights growing social, psychological and behavioural challenges among learners, including drug and substance abuse, indiscipline, school unrest and academic underperformance.

In her Motion Hon. Mukami also raised concern over the increasing cases of sexual violence against children, and abuse and killings involving individuals known to them. She noted that such experiences expose learners to trauma and long-term psychological harm.

The motion observed that many learners come from homes affected by domestic violence, family instability, economic hardship and other social pressures, which can adversely affect their emotional wellbeing, safety and concentration in school.

Hon. Mukami noted that guidance and counselling services in many schools remain informal, inadequately structured and under-resourced, with no standardised national framework to ensure professionalism and effective delivery.

“This motion is about safeguarding the well-being of our children. Education is not only about books and examinations, but about nurturing healthy, confident and emotionally stable individuals who can contribute positively to society,” she said.

The House resolved that the Government, through the Ministry of Education, should introduce a mandatory, structured and timetabled guidance and counselling programme in all public and private primary and secondary schools.

It further called for the development of a national policy framework for the recruitment, accreditation and deployment of professionally trained school counsellors, as well as the integration of mental health education, child protection, personal safety and life skills into the curriculum.

The House called on the government to allocate adequate resources for counselling services and establish clear referral and coordination mechanisms between schools, child protection institutions and relevant government agencies.

Tharaka MP, Hon. George Murugara, who seconded the Motion, said learners often carry invisible burdens of stress, fear, confusion and social pressure.

“Are we educating the minds of our children while neglecting their emotional and psychological well-being?” he posed.

Supporting the Motion, Uriri MP, Hon. Mark Nyamita, said many parents had increasingly left the responsibility of guiding children to teachers.

“Sometimes our children want someone away from their parents whom they can confide in. That space must be created elsewhere, and the place where they are is actually the school,” he said.