By Kipkemboi Toroitich
Principals have forwarded suggestions to the government to create more deputy Heads slots in secondary schools to make the running of the institutions more efficient and accountable.
Voicing the administrative concerns of schools on behalf of the headship fraternity, Chair of the powerful Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Kahi Indimuli fired yet another salvo at their 45th annual conference; schools need at least two more deputies to save principals the agonies of perennial blame whenever things went wrong.
Barely two days after he asked government to raise capitation and pave way for increased fees, the chairman said school populations were rising manifold each year, with some topping 3,000, while those running the schools limited to only two deputies at most; one in charge of administration and the other academics.
“The administrative challenges are partly brought about by the 100 percent transition policy,” said Indimuli, adding that it put their jobs at risk as any slip-up will have all eyes and fingers pointed at their performance.
Following up on the same matter, Indimuli added another proposal for a position of Senior Chief Principal. This, he said, would cause vertical mobility as principals were stuck at Grade D3 far too long.
The Chair also decried the arbitrary demotion of principals on flimsy grounds, which sometimes come without either warning or notice. He wants the TSC to review and change their policy on this as it was too punitive and inhumane.
On medical allowances, Indimuli asked Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to rationalize their medical covers to match those of their primary school counterparts, whom he said enjoyed immense covers which they did not. He also said their access to medical services was meticulous and complicated, requesting their employer to intervene and make it easier.
Reacting to the views, TSC Director of Quality Assurance and Standards Reuben Ntamburi said the Commission had promoted over 3,000 principals to chief principals since 2010, when the number was only 72.
