Parents sue Ambira High School over Sh33,000 strike damage levy on Grade 10 students

165 Ambira High parents have moved to court to block a Sh33,000 levy on Grade 10 students over strike damage, terming it unlawful and discriminatory. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Carolyne Kubwa
Thursday, June 4, 2026

Parents of 165 Ambira High students have moved to court challenging a directive requiring Grade 10 learners to pay Sh33,000 for strike-related damages, arguing the levy is unlawful and has denied learners access to education.

A group of 165 parents from Ambira High School has moved to the High Court to challenge a directive requiring Grade 10 students to pay Sh33,000 each for damages caused during a student strike. They argue that the learners were not involved in the unrest and have been unfairly barred from accessing education.

The petition, filed at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court, names the school’s principal, the board of management, the Permanent Secretary for Basic Education, and the Teachers Service Commission as respondents.

The parents argue that the school’s actions violate the students’ constitutional rights to education, fair administrative action, equality, and a fair hearing.

Latest Stories

“The 1st Respondent assured the Petitioners that their children... will not be affected by any punitive measures issued by the school,” the petition states.

However, they claim the school later changed its position in a letter dated May 30, directing all students to return on June 2 and requiring each learner, including Grade 10 students, to pay Sh33,000 towards repairs for damage estimated at Sh50 million.

The petitioners argue that the levy was imposed without giving students a chance to be heard, and that those unable to pay have effectively been locked out of school.

“The petitioners' children have been denied entry to school in order to access education,” the parents state in the petition.

They are now seeking orders declaring the levy unlawful, compelling the school to unconditionally readmit the students, and awarding damages for the alleged violation of their constitutional rights.