The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has warned parents and politicians against interfering in the management of schools, saying it will no longer tolerate such actions and may take unprecedented measures in response.
KUPPET Homa Bay County Chairperson Peter Otieno said cases of members of the public meddling in the affairs of schools were on the rise. He noted that such interference sets a bad example for learners and could easily compromise education standards if left unchecked.
Citing a spate of riots and chaos witnessed in schools across the county in the recent past, Mr Otieno called for sobriety among parents when addressing issues affecting learning institutions.
The unionist urged parents to uphold the dignity of teachers, saying, “If you feel aggrieved over an issue in a school, then follow the laid-down channels in a bid to solve it. Walk to the school, discuss and iron out any differences between you and them.”
He added, “If dissatisfied, you can as well visit area education offices over the same.”
The visibly angered trade unionist pointed out that the primary role of parents is to take children to school, pay school fees, and support their discipline and moral well-being.
Finger-pointing
“We are tired and sick of finger-pointing parents as well as politicians frequently storming schools to fish out and frog-march Heads of Institutions (HOIs) and teachers in the name of feeling aggrieved over issues or even feeling uncomfortable with newly appointed HOIs,” castigated the unionist.
Mr Otieno made the remarks in apparent reference to a number of schools in Homa Bay County that have recently witnessed unrest allegedly orchestrated by both parents and politicians. Among the affected institutions are Moi Girls Sindo, Gingo Mixed Secondary School, and Homa Bay Boys High School.
At the same time, he regretted that a teacher had lost his life following a brutal attack, while another was fighting for his life at Kenyatta National Hospital after allegedly being stabbed with a poison-laced weapon that seriously affected his lungs.
He was speaking at Kokwanyo Village in Rachuonyo East Constituency, Homa Bay County, during the burial of Martin Patrice Okwanyo, father to Patrick Okwanyo, Principal of Got Agak Secondary School, and George Mboya of Maseno School.
The late Okwanyo was described as a man who wholeheartedly championed education for all in the region, an effort that positively impacted many lives.
READ ALSO: Kisumu County Commissioner orders schools to install CCTV cameras for learner safety
Also present during the burial were former Education Attaché to the United States Ambassador Andrew Buop, KUPPET Kisumu Branch Secretary General George Osura, Rev. Elkana Alila, Deputy Principal of Maseno School representing the institution’s principal Sir Peter Owino, a host of Heads of Institutions and teachers from the county and beyond, as well as mourners from all walks of life.
By Peter Amos
