This morning, learning was paralyzed for several hours at Mwamunga Primary School in Voi, Taita Taveta County, following protests by parents who stormed the school to demand immediate changes and the removal of the head teacher, Mark Mulei.
Concerns Over Administration
Addressing the press, Juma Kombora who has been a parent at the school for 15 years, complained about the administration of the school. Kombora, as other parents stated, mentioned that they had written several letters of protest addressed to the county commissioner and the head teacher of that school.
Key Issues Raised
- Failure to Call for AGM: Kombora noted that the head teacher had failed to call for an Annual General Meeting since 2019, contrary to the Education Act.
- Parents Association Issues: The Parents Association has been in office since 2013, with no new election; parents termed it unconstitutional. They claimed that the head teacher single-handedly applied a retention to some members in the Board of Management without consulting them.
- Non-Election of Representative: Parents claimed that the junior secondary school representative was never elected. The head teacher is said to argue that he is yet to receive a circular from the ministry on the same.
- Approval of Budget without Assent of Parents: It is alleged that the head teacher, the chairman of the PA, and the accounts clerk had connived to plan and approve the School budget without assent from the parents.
- The accusations levelled against him relate to tribalism and intimidation from the head teacher. For example, he is accused of discriminating against local teachers and parents, in addition to intimidating any person with a different opinion. He is alleged to attempt the expulsion of parents from the school, particularly through the BoM, with the support of the chair, clerk, and senior teacher.
- Corruption Allegations: The parents raise concern over corruption, especially during the construction of the school gates, the fence, and toilets. The parents suspect that money meant for their construction was misappropriated. The head teacher is alleged to be the sole supplier to the school kitchen and handles all tenders for school construction, painting, and other needs.
Parents’ Demands
Parents now want several actions taken immediately, including the transfer of the head teacher, Mr. Mark Mulei, removal of the accounts clerk, and the reconstitution of the Parents Association.
“We, therefore peacefully need immediate attention by the Ministry of Education to fulfill the following conditions: transfer of the head teacher within 14 days from 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.
Calls for Ministerial Intervention
Parents claim there was a high-level corruption at the sub-county education office level, following which they urged Education Minister 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 these offices,” Kombora declared.
Concerns Over School Facilities
Nancy Olali, another parent, pointed out that school latrines were usually in a bad condition and posed a hazard to learners. She urged for a head teacher who would work harmoniously with parents and students for the improvement of the environment and performance of the school.
“We want the head teacher to leave because he’s not working as required. We want him to go and get a new head teacher so that our children can get better services. We have nothing to give our children apart from education. If children can learn in such an environment where even toilets are in poor condition, I don’t think they can perform better,” said Olali.