By Burnett Munthali
Police in Mwanza today used tear gas to disperse protesting students from Polysat Secondary School, who were demonstrating to demand the release of their detained colleagues.
The students had taken to the streets in frustration after some of their peers were arrested for causing chaos at the school.
According to a police report, the incident began when one of the students was suspended for misconduct.
Upset by the decision, the student went to the head teacher’s office, demanding a refund of his school fees.
When the school authorities refused, he mobilized fellow students, leading to a disruption of normal activities on the campus.
As the situation escalated, school officials called the police to restore order.
Law enforcement officers arrived and managed to arrest 14 students who were reportedly leading the protests.
Their detention, however, fueled further unrest as other students gathered in large numbers, insisting that their fellow students be released immediately.
The demonstrations soon turned violent, with students vandalizing school property and clashing with authorities. In response, the police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the crowd and prevent further damage.
One of the students, a Form 2 learner who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment over the incident.
He lamented that the chaos would negatively impact preparations for the upcoming Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) exams, as school officials had instructed students to go home until further notice.
Meanwhile, the school’s administration declined to comment on the matter.
As the situation develops, concerns remain about how the disruption will affect students’ academic performance and discipline within the school.
With tensions still high, authorities may need to engage both students and parents to prevent further unrest and find a long-term solution to conflicts arising within the school environment.
