School expels three siblings after row with their parents

Paul Kariuki and his wife Ann Kariuki (both seated) with their children who were expelled from Ng'arua Rironi Primary School. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/Standard]

 

A public primary school in Nyandarua is on the spot after it expelled three pupils belonging to one family following a disagreement between their parents and the school administration.

Ng’arua Rironi Primary School expelled Paul Kariuki’s children after he sought redress from police for his 10-year-old son who was beaten and injured by a teacher on allegations of stealing Sh10. The Government banned corporal punishment in schools in 2001.

Mr Kariuki gave his son money to pay for an educational video at the request of the head teacher. His son was then accused of stealing it.

“I gave my son Sh50 so as to pay Sh30; for him and his other two siblings. But a teacher accused him of stealing Sh10 from another student and beat him up, forcing me to take him to hospital as he was unable to walk,” said Kariuki when The Standard visited his home.

He said he took the boy to JM Kariuki Memorial Hospital after he was escorted home by another pupil due to the injury.

“When I took him to hospital, my wife went to the school to seek clarification but the teachers would not listen to her and threatened to expel all our children,” said Kariuki.

He said they then reported the matter to Kipipiri Police Station where they were issued with a P3 form which they took to Ol Kalou District Hospital.

Meanwhile, a teacher went to the police station where he reported that the boy’s mother, Anne Kariuki, had attacked him. Kariuki claims the allegation was untrue and the teacher did so after learning that the assault on the child had been reported to the police.

“The police immediately arrested me and my wife and we recorded our statements. We were released on a Sh6,000 bond but the case has not taken off three months later,” said Kariuki.

The head teacher, James Mbatia, ordered the Kariuki children not to report to school and even went ahead to write them a transfer letter.

The letter dated August 5 indicates that the parents of the Standard Seven, Six and Four pupils had requested that they be transferred to another school.

“The above named are pupils from this school in these respective classes. The parent has decided to bring them to your school. Assist them please,” reads the letter.

Kariuki however, denies he requested the school to transfer his children and dismissed this as a gimmick by the administration to kick out his children after he reported the assault.

NO ASSISSTANCE

“How can I transfer our children during third term and which school is ready for such an arrangement? At no point did I ask for their transfer. The letter was written and sent to me after I went to the school several times to ask why my children were not allowed back in class,” said Kariuki.

For the last two months, the children have been at home because Kariuki has not been assisted by the relevant authorities.

“I have gone to the County Director of Education but I have not been able to get any assistance. The teachers continue to frustrate my children who have been denied their right to education demanding that I pay them Sh15,000 before they allow them back,” he said.

When The Standard visited the County Director of Education, Mary Gaturi, in Ol-Kalou she said she was new to the office and needed more time to handle the matter.

“I reported here recently and need time to acquaint myself first. It is, however, regrettable that the school did such,” she said.

Angry teachers refused to answer our questions or even disclose the whereabouts of the head teacher when we visited the school.

“Who do you think you are to interrogate us? I will only answer questions directed at me by the ministry,” shouted a teacher.

It took a call from Kipipiri OCPD Charles Chebet for the head teacher to show up at the police station where he was grilled together with the parents. Mr Chebet promised that action would be taken against the school administration for denying children their right to education on flimsy grounds.

“Children have a right to education and we will not sit and watch when they fail to go to school just because the teachers do not like the parents. I can assure you we will prosecute him,” he said.

Mr Mbatia was, however, reluctant to readmit the pupils, saying the school committee had decided to expel them because Kariuki was problematic.

Interestingly, despite the Government being praised for the free education programme, the school charges parents for various services.

This year alone, receipts in possession of Kariuki indicate he paid Sh300 for activity fee, Sh110 for chairs, Sh200 (unspecified), Sh800 (unspecified), Sh900 (unspecified) and another Sh1,090 for an unspecified project.

Another parent said he was forced to pay Sh5,000 in order for his child to be enrolled in Standard One. He has appealed to Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi to intervene.