Parents protest Sh5 million fine for burnt dormitories

Chaos erupted at Dr Aggrey Boys High School in Wundanyi, on Wednesday after angry parents clashed with the Board of Management (BOM) over a Sh5 million fine for burnt dormitories.

The BOM has directed students to pay Sh2,500 each for reconstruction of the dormitories, and to clear fee arrears before they are allowed back.

Parents of Form Four students traded accusations with BOM members over the manner in which they handled the issue from the day the first inferno was reported a fortnight ago.

They said BOM imposed the fine even after the Wundanyi National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) had agreed to construct the dormitories. Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako commissioned the groundbreaking of the new 300-capacity dormitory at the school on Monday at a cost of Sh10 million. The MP said the project will be completed in two months.

“These swift resources will help alleviate overcrowding in the school as the hostel capacity exceeds by a wide margin the one we lost. The new hostel is fully funded by NG-CDF,” Mwashako told teachers and BOM members present.

Speaking to The Standard, the agitated parents questioned why the school is demanding the clearance of fee arrears and imposing a fine of Sh2,500 on every student for the damage caused by the fire yet investigations into the two incidents had not been concluded.

“Investigations into the incidents are still going on, and we cannot understand why we are being charged for the damage yet the NG-CDF is building a new dormitory. This is unacceptable,” said Priscilla Kime, a parent.

Those who failed to clear the fee balances and the fine went home with their children as grilling of students began yesterday. 

Another parent, Agnes Wawuda, sai that students should have been sent home when the first fire broke out at night.