By Dickson Mwiti
Chuka Girls High School in Tharaka Nithi was on Friday closed indefinitely following a protest by parents at the County Education Offices.
They accused the school’s principal, Ms Joan Muchina, of serious misconduct, including alleged mistreatment of students, intimidation of parents, and mismanagement of the institution.
The parents said the learning environment at the school had become unsafe, particularly for Form Three and Form Four students, who they claimed are subjected to excessive punishment, prolonged suspensions, and victimisation without fair and impartial disciplinary hearings.
Speaking during the protest, Joseph Mutugi, a parent, said students are allegedly placed under extreme academic pressure, with limited sleeping hours.
He claimed that learners found sleeping in dormitories are suspended for up to two weeks, a move parents said has negatively affected students’ mental wellbeing and academic focus.
Another parent, Diana Karani, alleged that the school administration intimidates parents and discourages engagement, claiming that parents who raise concerns are removed from the school’s official WhatsApp group.
She said the move effectively silences parents and denies them a platform to seek clarification on issues affecting their children.
They also raised concerns over the school’s academic performance.
Doreen Odhiambo claimed that parents were not officially informed of the school’s 2025 KCSE results, which they alleged dropped from a mean score of 7.2 to 5.7.
She said no official communication was issued to explain the results or outline measures to address the decline.
Concerns were further raised over staff instability at the school.
Alex Kipkoech, a parent, claimed that frequent transfers of teachers during the principal’s tenure have disrupted learning and lowered staff morale, adversely affecting students’ performance.
Among the most serious allegations raised by the parents was a claim that the principal assaulted a teacher, though no official documentation was presented during the demonstration.
Additional grievances included alleged public humiliation of students in the presence of parents and fellow learners, lack of annual general meetings (AGMs), and what parents described as poor stakeholder engagement.
On administrative and financial matters, parents complained of being required to pay for a full school uniform every year and alleged discriminatory fee charges, claiming that students without fee arrears are charged higher fees.
They also raised concerns over the sale of basic food items within the school at inflated prices, including common cakes allegedly selling at Sh20 despite parents paying for bread as part of school provisions.
Parents further questioned the alleged change of the school’s name from Chuka Girls High School to Bhakita chuka Girls, saying the move was done without consultation.
Tharaka Nithi County Director of Education Mbugua Kabaki addressed the demonstrators and assured them that all grievances would be investigated.
However, the parents insisted that their daughters were no longer safe at the institution.
Following consultations, the Director of Education announced the immediate closure of Chuka Girls High School until further notice, pending investigations.
Efforts to reach the principal for comment were unsuccessful by the time of going to press.
Edited by John Majau
