The fate of students at Litein Boys High School now hangs in the balance after the school’s Board of Management resolved that each learner must pay Ksh137,000 to cover the cost of damages caused during a recent unrest.
The directive follows weeks of investigations into the incident, which left key school facilities and infrastructure destroyed. According to officials, classrooms, dormitories, and administrative offices were among the properties affected, forcing the school to suspend learning indefinitely.
In an extraordinary measure, education authorities have also instructed other schools in the region not to admit any student from Litein Boys. This means that students cannot transfer elsewhere to avoid the imposed penalty. The order, according to county education officers, is aimed at instilling responsibility and deterring future cases of indiscipline in schools.
Parents have, however, reacted with shock and frustration at the heavy financial burden placed on them. Many argue that the Ksh137,000 per student fee is unaffordable, especially in the current economic climate where families are already struggling to meet basic needs and school-related expenses. Some have appealed to the Ministry of Education and political leaders to intervene and help negotiate a fairer settlement.
“We are not defending the destruction that happened, but the amount being asked is simply beyond what most parents can raise. Education is already costly, and this will force some students out of school completely,” one parent lamented.
Education stakeholders and child rights advocates have also weighed in on the matter, warning that punishing all students collectively could unfairly disadvantage innocent learners who may not have taken part in the unrest. They have called for a balanced approach that enforces accountability while safeguarding the right to education.
This incident has once again ignited a broader debate on student indiscipline and the rising cases of school unrest in the country. While authorities insist on strict measures to protect property and maintain discipline, education experts argue that long-term solutions such as counseling, mentorship programs, and strengthening communication between students, teachers, and parents are urgently needed.
For now, the gates of Litein Boys High School remain closed, and the future of hundreds of students remains uncertain as the community grapples with how to meet the hefty financial demand.
