Parents of students at Gatunguru Boys High School are expressing outrage after the school demanded that each student pay a KSh 25,000 levy to cover the reconstruction of three dormitories destroyed by a fire two weeks ago.
The fire, which left the dorms in ashes but caused no injuries, has kept students away from school for a fortnight, disrupting their studies.
The directive, issued by the school’s Board of Management (BoM), requires parents to clear all outstanding fees and pay the hefty levy before their children can be readmitted. This has caused a massive uproar, with many parents arguing that the amount is unrealistic and an impossible financial burden, especially given the current economic climate.
“It is completely unfair,” said one agitated parent, who requested anonymity. “How are we supposed to raise KSh 25,000 on top of the normal school fees? My child has been at home for two weeks, and now they are telling me to pay this huge amount.”
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The standoff has left hundreds of learners stranded at home, a situation that has particularly affected students set to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. These candidates have been without access to teachers for their final revisions, raising concerns about their performance. “Our children are just idling at home while their peers are in school preparing for exams,” another parent lamented. “This delay could seriously impact their grades.”
The BoM, however, has defended the figure, stating that the amount resulted from an assessment by the Department of Public Works. According to the board, the initial reconstruction cost was estimated at Ksh 50,000 per student but was ultimately halved.
Parents are now appealing to the government for intervention to ease the financial burden and facilitate the swift return of their children to school.
By Felix Wanderi
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