Students of Litein Boys High School in Kericho County are staring at an uncertain future after the school administration directed that each learner must pay Sh137,000 to cater for damages caused during a recent incident of unrest.
The directive comes on top of the pending school fees balances, sparking heated debate among parents and education stakeholders.
According to reports, the institution was left counting huge losses after property worth millions was destroyed. The damages included classrooms, dormitories, and other facilities critical to learning and accommodation.
Following the assessment of losses, the board of management resolved that each student must contribute the hefty amount to cover repair and replacement costs before the resumption of normal learning.
Parents have expressed outrage over the decision, terming it punitive and unrealistic given the economic struggles many families are currently facing.
Some have argued that the levy is beyond the reach of ordinary households and will likely force many students to drop out of school.
In a controversial move, the school also announced that no student from Litein Boys will be admitted into another institution, effectively locking out transfers.
Education officials say the measure is meant to instill discipline and ensure accountability among students. However, critics have termed it discriminatory and a violation of the students’ right to education.
The Ministry of Education has been urged to step in and provide guidance on how schools should handle such crises.
Local leaders have also called on the government to share the financial burden, warning that pushing it entirely onto parents could have long-term consequences on the future of learners.
The incident at Litein Boys adds to a growing list of cases where schools impose heavy financial penalties on parents after unrest or destruction of property.
While the approach is seen by some administrators as a deterrent, education experts warn that the rising trend could worsen the already high cost of education and erode trust between schools and communities.
For now, hundreds of students remain in limbo, with their return to class dependent on their parents’ ability to raise the Sh137,000 demanded by the school.
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