Litein Girls High School in Bureti, Kericho County, has been closed indefinitely following reports of possible unrest among students.
An urgent board meeting convened to address growing concerns decided that releasing the students would help ease the pressure and avoid potential disruptions.
The decision comes in light of alarming reports that students were preparing to go on a rampage over unspecified reasons.
“We took this step after learning that the students might engage in violent protests, which would further disrupt the academic environment,” said the school’s principal, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons.
The move has sparked a wave of reactions from parents, who have expressed concern over the timing of the closure.
Many fear that the indefinite closure will disrupt learning schedules, especially as students approach the critical period of preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
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“This is a huge setback for our children. They are already behind in their studies due to the pandemic, and now this closure will make things even harder,” said a parent whose daughter attends the school. “We understand the safety concerns, but it’s hard to ignore the impact on academic progress.”
The closure comes just a day after Litein Boys High School was also shut indefinitely following a rampage by students, who caused extensive damage to property. Reports indicated that the boys were protesting against the management and also wanted to be allowed to watch the highly anticipated match between Arsenal and Manchester City.
“This is a worrying trend,” said Julius Ngoneshi, the County Director of Education. “We urge students to use the appropriate channels to express their grievances instead of resorting to violence. It is important they understand the consequences of such actions on their education and future.”
As the schools remain closed, the focus now shifts to finding solutions to prevent further unrest and ensure that both students’ safety and their education are protected.
By Kimutai Langat
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