Nyakayojo SS students strike over miniskirt ban

Jun 04, 2013

A total of 720 students at Nyakayojo SS in Mbarara district have been sent home over a strike protesting the ban on miniskirts in school.

By Fred Turyakira

A total of 720 students at Nyakayojo SS in Mbarara district have been sent home over a strike protesting the ban on miniskirts in school.

Heavily armed anti-riot police on Monday evening fired teargas to disperse the rowdy students who reported for the second term only last week.

The students were striking over the ban on wearing miniskirts in school, poor quality meals, harassment by teachers and administration not addressing their complaints.

However, Simeon Kakondo Banturaki, the school headmaster, said they were shocked by the claims of poor quality meals, saying the school on Monday slaughtered a bull for students as they celebrated Uganda Martyrs day.

He said the strike was started by girls who boycotted supper after the head of their hostel confiscated miniskirts from some students.

“Boys took meals but girls refused to go to the kitchen because they were angry at the head of the hostel for allegedly confiscating miniskirts. When I intervened boys joined the rowdy girls and started throwing stones at me,” Kakondo said.

Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed in the strike. Several buildings were vandalized including the computer lab, library, classrooms, staff quarters, administration block and dormitories. 

The school board, administration and Police on Tuesday held a meeting and resolved to send away the students as they investigations take place.

Rev Can. Simon Mutabazi, the board chairman, said the school has been closed till further notice until they are done with investigations into allegations raised by the students.

Kakondo added that students used the banning of miniskirts as a “scapegoat”, saying students had other hidden motives which they don’t want to disclose to the administration.

Miria Ninsiima, the head of girl’s hostel, confirmed confiscating miniskirts from three students. She explained that the school is against indecent dressing.

“Our students and their parents are aware that we don’t allow miniskirts but girls have insisted on wearing skimpy clothes. We have to restrict them and emphasise the dress code to look smart and responsible,” she said.

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