- ESAK has defended KESSHA following an Auditor General’s audit query over payments made by public secondary schools to the association.
- ESAK has cautioned against generalising isolated audit findings across the entire association, warning it would unfairly undermine school leaders.
- ESAK has maintained that it supports transparent management of public resources while continuing to defend professional associations and school administrators.
Education Stakeholders of Kenya (ESAK) has come to the defence of the Kenya Secondary School Heads of Association (KESSHA) following an Auditor General’s audit query over payments made by public secondary schools to the association, saying principals operate under limited resources while managing the country’s learning institutions.
In a press statement signed by the national chairman, Faud Ali, National Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye and National treasurer Benter Opande, ESAK said KESSHA comprises professionally trained and registered teachers who uphold high standards of professional practice and ethical conduct while managing schools across the country. The stakeholders’ organisation described school principals as frontline instructional leaders and administrators whose responsibilities require integrity, professionalism and commitment to national service.
According to ESAK, KESSHA has maintained prudent financial management of funds received from the Ministry of Education as well as fees collected from parents.
ESAK said it was important for the public, oversight bodies and other stakeholders to understand the role played by the Ministry of Education, in partnership with KESSHA, in supporting essential co-curricular activities in schools.
ALSO READ:
Auditor-General flags irregular payments by public secondary schools to KESSHA
These activities include games and sports, music and drama festivals, science congress, athletics and other competitions conducted at sub-county, county, regional and national levels. ESAK said co-curricular programmes play an important role in students’ holistic development by promoting discipline, mental well-being, teamwork and character development.
The organisation further noted that school principals often face financial challenges that affect the day-to-day running of their institutions. It said some principals have, on occasion, used personal resources to support school operations, ensuring smooth running of the institutions during periods of financial delays. According to ESAK, such efforts help prevent disruptions that could arise from strikes, unrest and other challenges affecting learners who are mostly teenagers navigating a very delicate stage of their lives.
KNUT asks President Ruto to intervene as ageing P1 teachers face shrinking employment chances
ESAK cautioned against condemning KESSHA based on isolated audit queries involving individual schools and subsequently generalising the findings to the entire association. It argued that blanket condemnation of KESSHA would unfairly undermine school leaders who play a crucial role in managing and protecting learners.
The organisation said it supports transparent and accountable management of public resources but will continue defending professional associations and school administrators.
ESAK maintained that strengthening accountability while supporting school leaders is essential to ensuring stability and continuity within Kenya’s education system.
By Bernard Magada
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
