Buruburu girl’s high school principal Caroline Maina’s claimed arrogance may have been the catalyst for students torching a portion of the institution on Sunday.
According to reliable sources obtained by People Daily, Maina was warned by Form 3 pupils that they would destroy the school, but she ignored them by reacting rudely.
Students from Buruburu Girls High School escaping through the windows as fire engulfs a dormitory in the institution. More to follow
Video/courtesy pic.twitter.com/9OiKQoCYIL
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 31, 2021
According to a form, two student who talked to People Daily, one of the most vexing issues was the school’s choice to separate form three students into various courses depending on their academic potential.
“Last week on Wednesday we informed her that we were not happy with that decision since it made some of us feel poor. However, even after she received our letter she dismissed us and instead told us if we wanted to see a fire to combine our books and burn them as well,” the student told the source on condition of anonymity.
According to the student, all of the clever children were grouped together in one class, while the academically challenged pupils were left to fend for themselves. Furthermore, it has come to light that parents were dissatisfied with the Principal for neglecting to offer them an audience despite several letters.
“ As parents of Form 3W 2021 in Buru- Buru Girls School, we would like to bring to your attention that several issues with the school administration have not been addressed. Things have become very difficult for our daughters as they are being victimized because of informing us of their plight in school. The victimization is for the whole class in terms of verbal abuse and sometimes physical abuse,’ read a letter by parents to the Regional Director of Education dated 1st September.
In the letter, the distraught parents also expressed their displeasure with teachers teaching Chemistry and Mathematics who they claimed were only paying attention to the brighter students only. However, when reached for comment the principal who appeared to be under a lot of pressure said the issue was being blown out of proportion to malign her name.
“This is just a drop that has been blown into an ocean. Am one of the most responsible teachers who you will ever meet. Yes we have some mistakes but the truth is that most of the students we have in this school come from the “who is who family” and they tend to be unruly,” she said.
Yesterday, the school administration allowed the students to go home for a few days as investigations commence. So far 19 girls are still admitted at the Metropolitan Hospital while 16 others are at the Jamaa Hospital.
“Parents will be allowed to go home with the girls and the date when they are supposed to come back will be communicated,” said the school’s Board of Management Chairman Lazarus Opicho.
Opicho also warned that all those students who will be in the wrong will face the full face of the law.
“ We are warning that serious action will be taken against any student who will be caught in the wrong,” he said.
