A parent fainted while others wept during a meeting at a school in Ol Kalou, where students boycotted exams and instead demanded balls, skipping ropes and other sporting equipment. Kiganjo Mixed Day Secondary School students demanded to be allowed to study less and play more.
The administration called the meeting on Monday to respond to the students' rebellion, which started last Thursday.
The students rejected the end of term exams, saying they were very hard.
They said their minds were exhausted and they need more time to relax.
The form fours said they should only be given past papers to revise as they wait for KCSE.
The management met Nyandarua Central DEO James Wahome last week, when the students were let have their way for a day to avert trouble.
The following day, principal Esther Chege sent them home to report back on Monday with their parents.
"I could not keep idlers in school," she said.
When they reported back, the students were told to name the ring leaders. They gave 24 names, with some appearing more than 60 times.
Those mentioned were forced to sit with their parents in front of the entire school as they discussed the way forward.
This subjected the parents to more pain and shame.
It emerged the students were influenced by those in Nyahururu Boys, Ol Kalou High school, Manyatta Secondary, Salient High and Kangui High. All, safe for Ol Kalou, sent their students home to avoid destruction. A dormitory at Nyahururu Boys went up in flames on Wednesday last week.
It also emerged that after communication with the students, meetings were held at Site estate, Ol Kalou.
The PTA meeting resolved that the 15 students who bore the greatest responsibility be taken to Ol Kalou police station for questioning.
The parents and teaching fraternity also agreed that the students must sit for exams. Some parents suggested caning as the best antidote for the students' 'madness'.
It was also agreed that teachers strictly follow up on the students' activities while in school, and the parents to monitor them at home.
“These measures are not to ruin their lives, but to remedy their behaviour and secure their future,” Chege said.
“We must stand with Education CS Fred Matiang’i to ensure the students stay in school and do what is expected of them. We cannot allow them to hold the entire nation at ransom," said a parent.