Teachers, parents and residents of Mumias have been left dumbfounded after a leaked WhatsApp message from the principal of St. Mary’s Girls High School in Mumias revealed that she is aware that some of her teachers have carnal knowledge of students and some extort cash from them for favours.
In the two week-old post on the members-only St. Mary’s Staff Office WhatsApp group, Principal Monica Buchichi admitted to covering up for teachers’ ills including carnal knowledge of students and corporal punishment at the school – two abominable vices under the TSC code of ethics.
A clearly agitated Buchichi posted, “I have been summoned to TSC county offices more than twice for hiding vices by teachers that range from carnal knowledge, corporal punishment and collecting cash from students without my consent and on Monday I will be in the same office to present names of all teachers who have been involved and I have lots of write ups from several girls to present to the disciplinary committee.”
She went on, “I shall therefore not cover up any teacher henceforth. It’s good some of our teachers have been backstabbing me thinking I’ll be the only one punished but you should know you opened a can of worms and we are all on the spot.”
She explained, “Some of our male teachers have slept with our girls and compromised their parents.” and vowed, “I shall not cover up for any teacher henceforth. I’m not going to hide anything because it’s time for action by the employer.”
The post offered a glimpse into a crisis that is enveloping one of the top girls schools in the Western region. Scores of students have complained of sexual advances by some male teachers, particularly one who frequents the girls’ dormitories at odd hours.
A Form 4 candidate at the school, name withheld, is allegedly expectant by a senior teacher. Her father confirmed the matter to Education News on phone, adding that they had rejected offers to abort the pregnancy.
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When reached for comment, Buchichi responded by SMS referring this reporter to the Kakamega TSC County Director or the Ministry of Education (MoE) boss for further information.
The outgoing County TSC Director Margaret Kinyanjui however said there was no cause for alarm while MoE County Director Hellen Nyang’au claimed disagreements between the principal and the Board of Management (BoM) had caused the problems.
“We have a solution. We shall change the BoM in February next year to bring calm,” she said, whilst declining to comment on Buchichi’s confession of covering up carnal knowledge, corporal punishment and cash extortion by teachers.
Mumias Central Sub-County Director of Education Dr. Specia Akello confirmed that she is aware of the allegations and some of her officers had been deployed to the school to conduct investigations.
By Douglas Dindi
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