Mvara Secondary school closed over strike

Students of Mvara secondary school carry their luggage after the school was closed following a strike on Friday afternoon. PHOTO BY CLEMENT ALUMA

ARUA. Students of Mvara Secondary School in Arua District were on Friday sent home following a violent students’ strike which led to destruction of property including classroom and administrative blocks.

This is the second strike in just a week as the school prepares for the Athletic competition next week.
The students on Friday destroyed school property after the head teacher allegedly sent away eight of the ring leaders of the first strike.
But this, according to some of the students who preferred not to be named for fear of rebuttal, incensed them and started throwing stones.
On Monday, the students accused the administration of introducing new school rules, among which included closing dormitories from 7:30am to 10 am and during the afternoon lessons.

“We did not receive this very well because it was inconveniencing us and last week, some students threw fecal matter in the administration offices. But today as we were out for assembly, the head teacher wanted to send away the eight students who were arrested in the first strike. The headmaster called for police who then came and started firing teargas at us,” the student said.
The students also accuse the school administration of failing to address their concerns whenever they raise them.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Swaib Toko, said: “We took the decision to close the school because we cannot see the students destroy the buildings.”

The District Education Officer, Mr Marino Acia, said they would do screening of the students when they are reporting back.
The school head teacher, Mr Cox Andama, declined to comment. “I cannot talk now and there are people who are above me who will talk,” he said as he walked away from reporters.

Mvara is an Anglican founded school which had never experienced any major incident until this week’s strikes.