Students from Arnesen’s High School in Uasin Gishu County trekked for 40 kilometers overnight to Eldoret, to seek audience with education authorities over many grievances, among them poor hygiene, food rations, lack of drugs and not being taught since schools reopened for term one.
More than 500 students drawn from Form One to Form Four walked out of the school located in Burnt Forest township at midnight, headed to the Ainabkoi sub-county offices in Kapsoya, Eldoret town.
They arrived at 8:30 am, famished and fatigued from the long distance.The learners claimed they have not been taught since the school opened on January.
They also complained about the remedial fees being increased from 6,000 to 9,000 shillings per term.
A Form 3 student said most subjects have not been taught since opening adding that ten teachers have transferred from the school, while those who remained have not reported.
We cannot also borrow books from the school library because we do not have school id’s.
At the sub-county offices, they were received by Ainabkoi deputy sub-county commissioner Charles Laboso and officials from the ministry of education from the sub-county.
They complained that the school has inadequate toilets, lacks water and that learners were being served small rations of meals and denied access to the school library, among other grievances.
They accused the school principal Mr Francis Juma of failing to address their grievances.
Mr Laboso commended the students for the peaceful demonstration and their decision to seek an audience with the authorities, promising that their grievances will be addressed. He then mobilised buses to take the learners back to school.
The administrator said relevant authorities will look into the concerns. He said the county education board will look into increased fees, saying any increase ought to be approved by the board.
The administrator said public health officers will be sent to the school to ensure that desired hygiene standards are attained. He also warned teachers against the use of inappropriate language and not teaching, as well as teachers fighting with school precincts.
The school board chairman Reverend David Ng’ang’a said that they will ensure that the grievances have been addressed.A section of parents of the students arrived at the Ainabkoi Sub-County Commissioner’s office precincts.
