Students of St Teresa’s Isanjiro Girls in Malava sub-county have held a peaceful demonstration against the transfer of their deputy Principal.
Waving twigs, students of the day boarding girls’ school marched to the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) Sub-County office to protest the transfer of their deputy principal, Pauline Ayodi, to Friends Silungai Girls within the same sub-county.
The students who later presented their written grievances to Remjus Otieno, the TSC Sub-County Director for Kakamega North, were escorted back to school by Kabras police officers, led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), for their protection.
They were later addressed by Fr. Vincent Sanga, TSC director and OCS, at St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Malava parish, where they were urged to maintain law and order, as their grievances were being addressed.
In their submitted statement to the sub-county TSC director, they lamented the frequent interference of the sub-county office in the school, specifically the transfer of principals and teachers.
READ ALSO:
A School in Machakos marks Cultural Day with call to embrace African names and heritage
They also pointed out the new transfers, which have resulted in the school currently having a week-old new principal and the deputy departing for another school.
They stated that they did not want their deputy to be transferred, as she was transforming the school in both academic and co-curricular activities, and her departure would negatively impact these two essential aspects.
The school’s sponsors, despite not supporting the students’ picketing, also requested that the TSC reduce the frequency of principal and teacher transfers from the school, as it has been a trend, and hardly any new teachers are brought in; instead, they are transferred to another school.
The school has been receiving principals on acting capacities who are then transferred after a short period of stay.
The Tsc is alleged to be acting with bias considering its too much interference with the running of the school and this has also affected learning and lowered the morale of students and more so the school enrolment. said a teacher who sought anonymity for fear of victimization.
The principal confirmed that he had left the school at around 5.30pm when all was well and around 10:00pm he received a call from the local assistant chief alleging of a plot to demonstrate and true to that it happened early this morning before assembly where we had planned to address the issue.
She however assured parents that they had contained the situation and normalcy had resumed at the school.
Reports emanating from the TSC confirmed the transfer as normal as per its regulations.
By Wakhungu Andanje
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
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
