By Our Reporter
Secondary school principals have stressed for the need to be trained on how to better run the institutions, saying the current approach employed might not be effective.
Promotion to administrative positions by the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) is pegged on performance in national examinations, number of years served and other career growth courses undertaken.
However, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) National Chairman Kahi Indimuli identified security, rape and radicalisation as areas they are least prepared.
Besides, financial management has emerged as another area where training is needed as the heads are expected to effectively manage resources channeled under the Free Secondary Education.
Consequently, the principals, as the accounting officers, are always under watch from not only the Ministry of Education but also their employer, TSC.
“We were equipped on how to handle fire but did not foresee security and other emerging trends hence the need to be retooled”, Indimuli said.
A number of education stakeholders have proposed the creation of Kenya School of Teaching to induct and train teachers appointed to administrative positions.
This will be modeled alongside the Kenya School of Government where civil servants appointed to senior positions are inducted on the expectations of their new roles.
Indimuli said that the heads guide developed in 1976 has to be reviewed so that principals getting into these positions are informed on what to do.
Farasi Lane Secondary Principal in Westlands, Nairobi County, Hezekia Maragia agreed that since they are expected to execute Government policy, they need to be empowered.
“We are given the mandate to execute the policies and in most cases, we learn on the job and this poses numerous challenges, hence the need for induction and further training,” he advised.
He said they are up to the task and the only missing jigsaw is that they be prepared on how to manage the schools efficiently.
Maragia identified the emotional and psychological makeup of the principal as one that needs to be improved.
Mwangaza Muslim Secondary head Abdi Ismahil concurred that majority of them are thrown into the deep end of the sea on appointment and left to navigate on their own.
“Though KESSHA is trying to induct the deputies and those delocalised that is not enough as finances are a hindrance,” said Abdi, also Wajir County KESSHA Chairman.
He said that his region has proposed to TSC on the need to conduct an induction exercise.
The Alupe University College, a constituent college of Moi University, lecturer noted that a person should become a principal once they are given enough training and capacity built.
“Sadly, the current practice is through trial and error and this does not augur well with our education system,” he added.
He said that society prepares one to be a parent and the same should work for principals.
Saint Mathias Busia Secondary School Principal Titus Amuku said there is so much pressure on the heads and any slightest mistake attracts an avalanche of criticism.
“TSC is not privy to what is happening at schools. You stay in school the entire duration of your time and you are not considered human,” he stated.
Besides, he pointed out the negative attitude towards teachers, especially principals by the community as the undoing bit.
“This is affecting principals who are viewed as thieves not only from the community but by the employer and this is killing our morale,” he noted..
