Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Vihiga branch has decried interference of local politicians in running of school affairs in the county urging them to keep off school management issues.
Addressing the media in his Mbale office on Monday in response to the ongoing standoff at Keveye Girls High School where the newly transferred Principal Violet Oyungu has been rejected by the school Board of Management (BoM) and political leaders; KUPPET Vihiga Executive Secretary Sabala Inyeni decried the trend that is now threatening to bring disharmony in the management of schools within the county.
“We are not pleased that few members of the BOM can incite local politicians to reject a Principal who has been posted in one of our schools. This behavior is very unacceptable and outrightly discriminative,” Sabala said.
He added that Violet Oyungu is a Chief Principal at Grade D5 stating that it is unfortunate that she was being rejected over baseless claims.
“Violet Opala Oyungu is a Chief Principal at D5. Not all teachers can rise to that level. It is unfortunate that a BoM can incite other stakeholders to reject her based on unfounded allegations,” stated Sabala
“We wish to remind the BoM that Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is an independent commission, with powers to transfer teachers across the country. If there is an issue regarding to professional conduct of a teacher, we all know the right channels to follow while addressing such issues,” he added.
On May 11, 2023 TSC transferred Keveye Girls principal Christine Sifuna to Cardinal Otunga Girls High School in Bungoma replacing her with Ms Oyungu who had served Nyakach Girls High School for 7 years.
However, the Chavakali Yearly Meeting of Friends Church (Quakers) Presiding Clerk Jumba Yalwala penned a letter to TSC protesting her appointment to lead the school.
Mr. Yalwala claimed that she relates poorly with parents and other stakeholders in the education sector, saying that as a church they do not want to see the school go down the drain under their watch.
The move was supported by Sabatia MP Clement Sloya who stated that TSC did not involve the local leadership in fast-tracking the changes at the school, adding that Keveye Girls is not a dumpsite for rejected teachers and that they demand to have a say on the choice of the new principal.
By Roy Hezron
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