A number of concerned parents from Aquinas High School have voiced frustration over what they describe as unfair disciplinary measures imposed on students following the reported damage of an item during a practical class. Frustration grows at Aquinas High as parents claim students are being forced to pay for broken equipment with no clear culprit identified.
They allege that despite no clear identification of the student responsible, an entire class has been instructed to bear the cost collectively before being allowed to resume school activities.
Parents say their pleas for leniency or phased payments have been dismissed, and that attempts to engage the relevant teacher have been met with silence.
Some have also expressed fears of victimisation and claim they have been barred from discussing the matter in official parent communication platforms.
The situation has sparked disappointment among families, particularly given the financial pressure and the timing of the demands. "Good morning Cyprian. I'd like to let you know what is happening at Aquinas High. An instrument was broken during a metal work class. The students claim they did not see who broke it. Now, the class is being forced to report with money each in order to be allowed back into school. The teacher in question has refused to talk to us or even hear our plight. Most parents don't have money, and we're pleading to be allowed to pay in bits — but they have refused. We are very disappointed that they have to harass the Form 4 class at this time. Please hide my identity. I do not want my son to be victimised. They have gagged us from discussing the issue in the WhatsApp group. I'm made to understand that even a Form 3 class has been forced to pay the same amount."