Hundreds of Thitha high school students marched out of their classrooms on Monday during a protest to demand action on the principal for alleged mismanagement of the school .
“We were celebrating Thitha’s ascension last year, but now we are celebrating her demise. Remedial classes used to be offered, but this is no longer the case,’ said one of the students who participated in the protest
“The teachers are unconcerned about us because they are harassed by the principal. After a month of teaching at the school, teachers are transferred. The principal makes his decisions without consulting us and treats us like adults.
“He should understand that we are not in university and that we require more attention. We request that our MP, Hon Kubai-Kiringo, intervene and ensure that the principal is transferred,” he said.
Another student accused the principal of allegedly beating students for no reason. He claimed that after KCSE completion, the principal demands payment for damages that are unaccounted for.
“Students were recently arrested and detained for no apparent reason. We’ve been dealing with a foul odor caused by sewage dumped near the classrooms after the pit latrine became overflowing.
“The principal has been at the school for three years, and when he arrived, the school had a mean score of 4.2. Under the Kenya University Central Placement Service, nineteen students qualified for direct entry admission to universities (KUCPS)
“The following year, the school had 17 university candidates, and last year, only 11 out of 200 students took the KCSE exam,” he said.
According to Princess, another student, the school environment was filthy because there was sewage waste everywhere. She claimed that the library had been closed, and there were no revision materials available.
“Hon Kubai Iringo should be aware that our boys are sleeping in the dining hall despite the fact that he has given money to the school. We demand that action be taken because the dormitory has yet to be built,” she said.
“Form four students are still in possession of their form two textbooks and are unable to return them because the library is still closed. The library houses the books that the government distributes. When a textbook is misplaced, the principal demands and pockets Ksh 1000,” said another student.
“Bursary payments to students are not reflected in the fee accounts. Hon Kubai Kiringo recently distributed bursaries, and students who received them are complaining that the funds have not been credited to their accounts,’ he added.
Mutiso Justus, Thitha high school principal said he’d been at the school for almost four years. He said that students had walked out of school at 6:00 a.m., prior to the school assembly, and demanded to speak with members of the school board.
“Concerning the dormitory construction, the money donated by the deputy president has not been received, and it is up to the school board to follow up on it. We have yet to contact the parents.
“Some bursaries are provided by sub-counties and constituencies, while the others are provided by the presidential office. Not all students are able to take advantage of the awards. Everything is covered for in presidential while Ksh 3000 is allocated for the CDF.
“Bursary details are included in each student’s fee statement, which includes the balance, bursary amount, and money paid since admission.
“Before students are sent home to collect school fees, their records are checked to see if they were awarded a presidential or CDF bursary.
“The school no longer purchases textbooks. They are purchased by the government, and each student receives them when they enter Forms 1, 2, and 4.
“Except for those that have not been collected, there are no books in the library. There are no new materials, and students are expected to stick with their textbooks and return them once the KCSE exam is completed.
“We decided to turn the dining hall into a dormitory and asked Hon Kubai Kiringo for help with tile installation. The hall was empty, so we sought assistance from the CDF’s office.
