Learning at Mwamunga Primary School in Voi, Taita Taveta County was disrupted for several hours as parents storm the school on today morning demanding for immediate changes and removal of the school head teacher.
Addressing the press, Juma Kombora, a parent at the school for the past 15 years, voiced concerns regarding the school’s administration.
Together with other parents, Kombora noted that they submitted complaints to several officials, including the county commissioner and the head teacher of the school.
Key issues raised include the head teacher’s failure to call for an Annual General Meeting (AGM) since 2019, which they said is in violation of the Education Act.
Additionally, the Parents Association (PA) has been in place since 2013 without new elections, a claim which they term unconstitutional.
The head teacher allegedly appoints and retains preferred members in the Board of Management without consulting parents.
Moreover, according to parents, there has never been an election for the representative of the Junior Secondary School. They noted that the head teacher claims he has not received a circular from the ministry regarding this matter. It is also alleged that the head teacher, PA chair, and accounts clerk plan and approve the school budget without parental consent.
Accusations of tribalism have also been made, with claims that the head teacher discriminates against the local teachers and parents. Furthermore, he is said to intimidate those who disagree with him, even attempting to expel parents from the school.
“He is dictatorial and can effect a transfer or expulsion of any teacher or parent who does not agree with him. It is on record he tried to expel a parent from the school by using BoM with the support of the chair, the clerk and senior teacher,” said Kombora.
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Concerns about corruption have been raised, particularly regarding the construction of the school gates, fence, and toilets. Parents suspect the funds allocated for these projects were misappropriated.
“The head teacher is the main supplier in the school kitchen and all school tenders for construction, painting and everything.
We suspect corrupt deals in the construction of the school gates, fence and learners’ toilets. The fence was done by prison. The gate is not worth the amount spent. Very minimal work done according to the fund contributed for the toilet construction,” he said.
The school’s lunch programme is also under scrutiny, with claims that the quality does not match the amount paid.
Parents are calling for several immediate actions including the transfer of the head teacher, Mark Mulei, the removal of the accounts clerk, and the reconstitution of the Parents Association.
“So we peacefully need immediate assistance by the Ministry of Education to fulfill the following conditions namely transfer the head teacher within 14 days of this letter, constitute a fresh parents association with immediate effect, transfer of one Kabogo as soon as possible and do away with the account clerk summarily,” noted Kombora.
The parents allege widespread corruption in the sub-county education offices, urging the Minister of Education led by CS Ezekiel Machogu to intervene.
“I would like to say this, all the Sub county Education offices are rotten. They use head teachers to do corruption. When the head teacher gets a problem, he/she goes there, and through corruption, everything is covered, something that angers the parents. This, I’m speaking directly to Machogu who should intervene and ensure everything is straight in this offices,” remarked Kombora.
Nancy Olali, another parent, highlighted the poor condition of school toilets, which she believes poses a hazard to the learners.
She stressed the need for a head teacher who works well with both parents and students to improve the school’s environment and performance.
“We want the head teacher to leave because he’s not working as required. We want him to go and we get a new head teacher so that our children can get better services. We have nothing to give our children apart from education. If the children can learn in such an environment where even toilets are in poor condition, I don’t think they can perform better,” Said Olali
Parents are therefore demanding for swift action to address these issues and ensure a better future for their children.
By Michael Oduor
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