Moyo striking students fined

A student (Left) fills a commitment letter in front of the verification panel. PHOTO BY SCOVIN ICETA.

What you need to know:

Unfair. One of the parents says it is unfair for the board of governors to levy fines because no school property was destroyed.

MOYO. Students of Moyo Technical Institute will each be fined Shs10,000 for damages they caused to the school property during a strike early this month, the school board of governors has said.

The board also ordered parents to sign commitment letters and clear tuition fees before the students are re-admitted to complete the term.

The principal of the institute, Mr Meck Adubango, told Daily Monitor that some staff members were involved in the strike but did not divulge the details. He added that four students identified as ring leaders will face the institution’s disciplinary committee.

Mr Adubango said the board resolved to suspend the culprits instead of dismissing them because they have to sit for examinations.
He added that the condition of tasking parents to escort their children aims at ensuring that they (parents) instil discipline in their children.
“Parents should teach their children good manners because such strikes are embarrassing,” he said.
The students went on strike citing maladministration, poor feeding and the need to participate in the national games and sports.

Parent reacts
Mr Micheal Irama, one of the parents, said it is unfair for the board of governors to levy fines because no school property was destroyed.

“I don’t understand the purpose of this money because no property was destroyed,” he said.
Rev canon Solomon Dramai, the head of Anglican Church of Uganda for Madi sub-region, urged the students to focus on education.

“The students act out of peer influence and parents end up bearing the brunt,” he said.
The strike happened during evening preps when unidentified students attempted to set the food store on fire but some students opposed to the strike helped put out the fire.
Police were deployed to disperse the students.

Number

Shs10,000
The amount of money each student is supposed to pay in damages.