Parents of students at Ngiya Girls High School are raising serious concerns over the welfare of their daughters.
According to furious Parents, the adminstration has not addressed lack of clean water and bathing facilities while they are sending home students over unpaid remedial fees.
The parents say the situation has become increasingly worrying, with some students going for days without bathing because the school has no adequate water supply.
They are also questioning why students are being sent home over remedial fees when parents are already paying the money but are yet to see the promised remedial lessons. The concerns come amid claims that students protested over the situation on Saturday, with parents now calling for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities.
One parent described the situation in a message shared among parents, questioning why the school was more concerned about collecting remedial money while students were struggling to access even basic necessities such as drinking and cleaning water.
“Good.morning just a concern as parent students are being sent home becos of remedial money is this part of school fees really ati they want zero balance there's no water in the school and even drinking water. Honestly and this is a national school what nonsense is this. Can our class rep tell us what's going on. What they are interested in is our money they not care about the welfare of our children. No water in a national school very shameful”
The complaint has been echoed by other parents, with one calling on the school management to address the welfare of the girls, particularly the water situation.
“The school management should do something especially on welfare for our girls. Water issues. Superised.”
Another parent gave a more disturbing account of what the shortage has meant for students, claiming that some girls went several days without bathing because there was no water at the school.
“Our girls literally haven't showered,last week they stayed for 3 days without bathing .Hiyo shule haiezi leta clean water truck to assist the girls?Even up to now hawana maji yet walisema walichimba borehole.”
The complaint raises a basic welfare question for a boarding school. Parents say students cannot reasonably be expected to remain in school for days without adequate water for drinking, bathing and other essential needs, particularly where the school is understood to have a borehole that was intended to improve the water supply.
The parents are now urging one another to stop remaining silent, saying they fear that continued silence could leave the students exposed to conditions they believe are unsafe.
“Parents it's time we speak up ,and stand up .The school administration has let us down ,and mkiendelea kunyamaza ni watoto wetu wataumia imagine .”
The issue of remedial fees has also become a major point of contention. Parents are questioning whether the money being demanded for remedial lessons forms part of the approved school fees and whether a student can properly be sent home because of an outstanding remedial payment.
“If no action is taken will raise it with ministry of education especially remedial money want to know if its part of school fees that a child can be sent home. Parents don't keep quiet and our children are suffering. We are stakeholders here have right to raise our concerns.”
Another parent questioned the role of the class representative in addressing the grievances and expressed concern about the health implications of the water shortage, particularly for girls who are unable to maintain basic hygiene.
“The class rep is here to read our grievances and respond to them. am just shocked and with girls.its very risky for them and subjecting them to infections and lowering there self esteem.Class rep I remember reading from one of your posts here on the wall on how you were praising the school has improved,bore holes been dug thus adequate supply of water.kindly tell us coz the school cant be quick on sending the girls home,we pay remedial fees but no remedial done and there welfare not taken care of.we should tag the ministry of health and education to come to the girls rescue.NI MBAYA😭”
The latest complaints therefore leave two issues running side by side. Parents are being asked to clear remedial fees, with students being sent home when the money is not paid, while the same parents say their daughters are struggling with access to water and other basic welfare needs inside the school.
For parents, the issue is not simply about paying school fees. They say they have a responsibility to ensure their daughters receive an education in an environment where basic needs such as water, hygiene and safety are properly provided for.