Tension erupted at St Thomas Raganga Secondary School in Kisii County on Monday after enraged parents and local residents invaded the institution following its dismal performance in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
The parents accused the school’s teachers and administration of failing their children despite years of heavy investment in education.
In chaotic scenes, teachers — including the principal — were forced to flee as protesters took control of the school compound and locked the administration block.
Witnesses said the situation quickly escalated, leaving the staff room deserted as parents and villagers occupied the school grounds. Footage circulating online showed demonstrators marching within the compound, some waving twigs to express their anger and frustration.
Reports indicate that the school’s top candidate recorded a D plain, while the majority of learners scored D minus, with a few obtaining E grades. The results sparked outrage among parents who insisted their children had the ability to perform far better.
One emotional parent told the media that her Form Four child had not adequately covered even the Form One syllabus, raising serious concerns about teaching standards at the school.
Parents argued that the poor results had shattered their children’s academic dreams and future prospects. Although the school was established in 1992 and operates under the motto
“Education for Life,” it has struggled with weak KCSE performance for several years.
The protest comes just days after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba released the 2025 KCSE results, which showed improved national performance.
According to official figures, 270,715 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, qualifying for direct university admission — an increase compared to 2024.
Despite the national progress, the incident in Kisii has raised fresh questions about accountability, quality of education, and oversight in chronically underperforming schools.
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Education