A decision by the Board of Management of Menyenya Secondary school to convert the institution into a girls-only school has been received with mixed reactions from residents.
The institution which has been in existence since 1970 was built by community members to enable children from the surrounding areas who could not join neighbouring St Kizito, Nyansiongo boys.
Speaking during the institutions' prayer day on Thursday, a section of parents led by Jackson Barongo accused board chairman Francis Momanyi of imposing the decision on parents without consultation.
“The institution was founded under strong SDA beliefs and it was meant to offer an education to those who could not join Nyansiongo Boys. It is therefore, improper for the board to make decisions without inviting us to give our input,” he said.
According to them, the decision will discriminate many male students from the area community who preferred studying nearer home.
“I want to get a clarification where the institution wants us to take our boys in future. The community still needs time to consult before such a decision is implemented. Remember not everybody can afford boarding school fees, that is why we are comfortable with the school because it accommodates both day scholars and boarders,” Barongo said.
However, Momanyi defended the decision and said the Ministry of Education had authorised the absorption of only girls in the 2016 form one intake.
"We have finalised everything and the ministry has given an okay. We have so many boy schools around where our children can join. It was the decision of the representatives and that is final,” Momanyi said.