Nairobi, May 13 -- A wave of student unrest is sweeping through secondary schools across the country, disrupting learning and forcing several institutions to close as learners raise concerns ranging from poor living conditions and inadequate food to academic pressure and indiscipline.

At State House Girls High School, parents were on May 12, asked to pick up their daughters after the school was closed indefinitely to allow administrators and education officials to address complaints over the quantity and quality of food, healthcare services, the operation of the school canteen, the curriculum being taught and the treatment of students.

"We have had many concerns, including hunger, healthcare, the quantity of food, the quality of educati...