Governor Barasa, unions condemn attack on headteacher

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and teachers unions have condemned the attack on a head teacher by residents in Isongo, Mumias East constituency.

St Gabriel Isongo Secondary School head teacher David Wafula and the director of studies were assaulted and chased away by residents after the institution recorded poor results in the just released KCSE.

"Issues to do with exam results start with parents, there should be collaboration between parents, teachers, the Board of Management (BOM), and students to post good results. If the school fails, each of the above take responsibility," said Barasa.

The governor was speaking during service at Believers Revival Mission Church in Butsotso East Ward, Lurambi constituency, on Sunday.

Last Wednesday, locals stormed the school and ejected the head teacher after students posted poor results in the 2023 KCSE exams.

The school had 179 registered candidates but only two managed to score marks to enable them secure admission to university, with 173 students scoring D- minus and four grade E.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Kakamega branch Secretary General Harrison Otota condemned the incident and called on security agencies to investigate the matter and take action against residents who assaulted the head teacher.

"We want police officers to arrest those people who frog-marched, assaulted, and chased away the school principal and his teachers away. We are also calling for investigations of the local politicians who incited the locals to engage in unruly behaviour," said Otota.

"Let the aggrieved parties use the laid down procedures in solving issues affecting school performance rather than embarrassing and harassing teachers," he added.

Kenya School Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) Kakamega Branch Chairman Michael Amukowa such incidents could in future get out of hand if left unchecked.

"It is so sad that the lives of our members are at risk if goons can just storm into a school and eject teachers. We want police to arrest them and hold them responsible because there are channels of launching complaints over academic and management issues," said Amukowa.

Angry parents blamed the Teacher Service Commission for posting and transferring teachers on short notice in the school, making it difficult for them to bond with the students.

"This school keeps changing teachers. We have those who came here for only three months, and it's like after every four months, students receive new teachers," a parent who did not want to be named said.