Litein Boys High School has been closed indefinitely following a violent student riot that erupted on Sunday night after learners were denied permission to watch the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City.
The unrest began when the school administration refused the students’ request to view the 90-minute match under the usual weekend entertainment schedule, a common practice in many boys’ schools.
The refusal reportedly triggered anger among the learners, who then engaged in destructive behaviour, setting parts of the school ablaze and causing significant property damage.
According to sources within the school, the students initially protested verbally, demanding that the administration allow them to watch the highly anticipated match.
When their appeals were ignored, the demonstration escalated rapidly, with students overturning furniture, breaking windows, and igniting fires in various sections of the campus. Teachers and support staff attempted to intervene, but the scale of the unrest overwhelmed the school authorities.
The principal of Litein Boys High School has since appealed for calm, emphasising the need for order and the restoration of normal operations once safety is ensured. The incident has sparked concern among parents, education officials, and the wider community.
County education officers have condemned the violent actions and announced that an inquiry will be conducted to establish the causes and identify those responsible. Police officers have also been deployed to secure the school premises and prevent further escalation.
While the English Premier League match was the immediate trigger, underlying frustrations over school policies, discipline, and student engagement may have contributed to the violent response.
Authorities are now focused on ensuring the safety of students, repairing damaged facilities, and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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