In a shocking turn of events, St. Anne’s Girls School in Makadara, Nairobi County has dismissed its principal, Veronica Muli, after she made the controversial decision to lock students out of the school for failing to pay their fees.
The decision, which sparked outrage, saw affected students – some of whom had traveled from as far as Garissa – forced to sleep outside the school gates for hours.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, several students were stranded at the school’s entrance until 9 p.m. after the principal, citing outstanding fee arrears, locked the gates.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, as many questioned the rationale behind locking out vulnerable students, especially those who had already endured long journeys to attend their studies.
The situation was compounded by the fact that many of the students at St. Anne’s come from various parts of the country, with some traveling across vast distances, including from the remote areas of Garissa.
These students were left in a dire situation, as they had no option but to wait outside, risking their safety and well-being.
In the face of mounting pressure and public outrage, the school’s deputy principal has now assumed leadership.
While the board of management has yet to officially comment on the matter, the dismissal of Ms. Muli highlights the severe consequences of her actions, which ultimately jeopardized the safety and education of the young girls under her care.
Efforts to reach Ms. Muli for comment were unsuccessful as she avoided journalists and remained silent during a subsequent meeting with sub-county leaders aimed at resolving the issue.
Local Member of Parliament (MP) noted that the meeting was convened specifically to address the growing concerns surrounding the incident and to ensure the welfare of the affected students.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sensitivity and compassion in leadership roles, particularly in institutions entrusted with the care and education of young people.
The school community and parents alike are left to question the judgment of the former principal, as they seek to ensure that such an incident never happens again.
The deputy principal, now taking the reins at St. Anne’s, faces the challenge of restoring the school’s reputation and ensuring that the students’ academic and personal needs are prioritized moving forward.
As the school transitions to new leadership, it is hoped that measures will be put in place to address the concerns of both students and parents and prevent such a distressing incident from occurring again in the future.
For now, the focus remains on the affected students, many of whom are grateful to have found a safe place to stay, while the school leadership begins its process of rebuilding and regaining the trust of the community.
