Shock as KCSE Student Found Dead in Classroom

A somber mood has engulfed Shunem Secondary School in Lanet, Nakuru County, following the death of a Form Four student in a suspected suicide case, just hours before sitting for her Mathematics exam in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

According to police reports ,the 17-year old girl had been with her classmates on the Sunday night revising ahead of the Monday morning paper.

Witnesses said she excused herself from the classroom where her colleagues were studying and left for the dormitory but did not return.

“The teacher overseeing the preps got worried when she took too long to be back,” said Nakuru East Sub-County Commander .

“He asked other students to assist in looking for her.”

The search ended tragically as screams were heard after students discovered her body hanging under a classroom truss with a piece of cloth tied around the neck.

Note Found in Locker

According to the police, a note that was thought to be written by the student was discovered in her locker and was addressed to her parents.

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“We are examining the note to determine it’s authenticity ,” added the police commander.

The victim’s parents were informed of the heart breaking news and left devastated.

Her remains have been transferred to the Nakuru County mortuary awaiting postmortem and further investigations.

Increasing Cases of Suicide among students

Police said the incident was among at least four similar cases reported across the country in recent days.

The increasing cases of suicides among the students and the youth have been a matter of concern to mental health experts.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also reports that academic pressure, joblessness, depression, bullying and substance abuse are some of the factors that contribute significantly to rising suicide rates.

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A senior education official who visited the school termed the tragedy as” a wake up call.”

“We must strengthen and enhance mental health support systems in our schools.”

There is a lot of pressure on our learners and a lot of them are victims who suffer in silence ,”the official said.

Government’s Response

The Ministry of Education has reiterated that schools should set up counselling programs and learners should be able to access guidance and emotional support.

Authorities have urged parents ,teachers and communities to be more alert and to have open conversations on mental health in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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