What is the ruling on compelling female students to pray in congregation at school, given their complaints and claims that their prayers are invalid due to lack of intention?

Congregational prayer is not obligatory for women, and their prayer at home is better. However, in some cases, such as the questioner's situation, prayer must be performed and not delayed until returning home, for fear of the prayer time expiring or violating school rules. Praying next to a person or a group without the intention of following them is valid, unless the worshiper begins their prayer alone and then intends to follow someone else, in which case their prayer becomes invalid. If there is no intention to follow the school's imam, then praying alongside others is valid. If there is no impediment to following him, then it is better to pray with him.