Strike at Metu Secondary School on March 12 Leaves Windows Shattered, Property Damaged

By: Candia Peter

Date: March 14, 2025

A purported strike at Metu Secondary School on the night of March 12, 2025, has left a trail of destruction, with several windows shattered and other items damaged within the school’s premises. 

The incident occurred around 10 PM when a group of students reportedly tried to stage a protest, though the exact reasons behind the unrest remain unclear.

Authorities at the school suspect that the violence was fueled by alcohol consumption, as some of the students involved were reportedly under the influence at the time of the altercation. The school administration and local authorities have yet to confirm the specific circumstances leading to the unrest, but early reports suggest that tensions had been simmering among the students prior to the disturbance.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the students, who had gathered in one of the school’s blocks, began to engage in destructive behavior. The windows of several classrooms were shattered, and doors were damaged during the course of the incident. Some school property, including furniture and instructional materials, were also reported to have been destroyed.

“I heard a loud noise coming from the students’ block around 10 PM, and when I went outside to check, I saw that windows had been broken and there was a lot of commotion,” said [name], a teacher at Metu Secondary School. “We tried to intervene and calm the situation, but it quickly escalated. It’s very unfortunate that such an incident happened here.”

The school’s authorities have since launched an internal investigation into the matter, working closely with local law enforcement to gather more information about the students involved and the root cause of the unrest. It is still unclear whether this was a spontaneous protest or if there had been prior planning among the students.

“We are still trying to piece together the events of that night, but we suspect that alcohol may have played a significant role in inciting the violence,” stated [headmaster’s name], the headteacher of Metu Secondary School. “We do not tolerate any form of unruly behavior, and we will ensure that the students responsible face the appropriate disciplinary actions.”

School officials are also working with local authorities to investigate the source of the alcohol, as it is illegal for minors to possess or consume alcohol. The school has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for all students and has urged parents and guardians to reinforce messages of responsibility and respect among their children.

The strike and the subsequent damages have raised concerns within the local community about the increasing levels of student unrest, especially involving alcohol. This incident follows a string of similar disturbances in schools across the region, prompting calls for more stringent monitoring of students' behavior both on and off school grounds.

The students involved in the strike are expected to face disciplinary action once they are identified, and the school is also exploring ways to improve its systems for preventing such incidents in the future. The local police have confirmed that they are working closely with the school authorities to ensure that those responsible for the destruction and any illegal activities are held accountable.

As Metu Secondary School works to recover from the damages, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the challenges facing schools in maintaining discipline and managing student behavior in the face of external influences such as alcohol.