In an incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a KCSE candidate has been suspended from her school and given a bizarre and costly punishment. The student was found with just three packs of chewing gum during a routine search and was subsequently sent home with a demand to purchase chewing gum for all 580 students at the school. The fine, which amounts to a hefty KSh16,800, has been met with public criticism and has raised questions about the fairness and legality of school punishments.
The student's mother, who has expressed her frustration and concern, is worried that her daughter, who is preparing for the national KCSE exams, will fall behind in her studies. She feels that the punishment is both excessive and unfair, especially since she had already cleared her daughter's school fees. The mother’s frustration is palpable, as she now feels unfairly burdened by a punishment that seems disproportionate to the offense.
The incident, which has made headlines and sparked a heated debate, highlights the tension between school authority and parental rights. While some argue that the student should be punished for breaking a school rule, others question the legality and fairness of a punishment that is not only financially burdensome but also puts a student’s education at risk. The school's principal has declined to comment on the matter, leaving the public to speculate about the reasoning behind the extreme punishment.
