Students To Undergo Drug Test Before School’s Reopen On Fourth.
Following the arson cases that saw two dormitories burnt down in maranda high school, all the boys of maranda high have been asked to undertake mandatory drug or substance test before they can report back to school for readmission on Fourth of January 2022.
As a prove that they took the test they must produce a certificate from a public health facility (certified government laboratory) or NACADA on Tuesday next week during readmission. Failure to which, a student will not be readmitted.
Additionally, all students must clear all the fee balances before readmission is done. Besides the school fees each one of them must pay a fine of five thousand, one hundred and twenty five shillings for reconstruction of the burnt dormitory.
Edwin Namachanja, maranda high chief principal, in a message that was sent to parents last week said that the test on substance or drug abuse must be done before learners report back to school. He also added that random test will also be conducted at school.
From a reliable source it is reported that some students have already taken the test in a government chemist. The test was done at a cost of one thousand and five hundred shillings as reported to Standard. The students are so far awaiting for their certificates.
However, a large number of parents are saying that they can not access the correct laboratories that can perform the test on their sons as required by the school. Some are complaining that they are being overcharged in some facilities. One parent was asked to pay 2,500 shillings for the test in Mathari hospital.
Another parent is in dilemma because he doesn’t know where he can take his son to undergo the test. According to him the school management should have specify the facility to make it easy for parents. Further still the school could have organised with a certified laboratory for the test to be conducted within the school on reporting day.
According to Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education subject learners to drug test will minimize indiscipline cases and student’s arson in school. It is among the strategies that will reduce arson and indiscipline cases in schools he said.
Nelson Sifuna Siaya County Education Director yesterday said that the drug test will enable parents to Know their children better hence they should support the school.
