Trans Nzoia County Director of Education Joseph Wamocho

The Trans Nzoia County Director of Education Joseph Wamocho has told school heads both in primary and secondary schools to embrace accountability and transparency in their running of the institutions to avoid suspicion among stakeholders hence leading to protests and demonstrations.

Wamocho told journalists in his office that most of the demonstrations experienced in the area are as a result of head teachers not sharing out vital information about the affairs of their institutions with stakeholders.

"Under the new dispensation school heads should relay information to all stakeholders so that they are kept abreast of the ongoing in the school other than confining all the institution's information to themselves and in the long run cause unrest in the schools," Wamocho said.

He cited the recent students and parents demonstrations at Senator Wamalwa High school in Birunda and Grassland primary where the protests were against the respective school heads to be transferred for mismanagement of the institutions.

However, as much as he called upon the heads to embrace good leadership skills he cautioned stakeholders who are in some cases behind the demonstrations for their own selfish ends noting that once known the victims shall be dealt with accordingly.

The director added that the teachers and parents who use the pupils or students to demonstrate to settle some scores with the school heads should shun the practice and let the learners to go on peacefully with their education.

"I am issuing a stern caution against parents, committee members or teachers especially deputy heads who want to get shortcuts to power by inciting the students against their heads that the ministry shall not hesitate to take disciplinary action against them when established that they are behind such unrest," Wamocho affirmed.

He revealed that investigations in the two schools that experienced the riots have been completed and immediate and necessary action shall soon be executed.

Tuition programs

At the same time the director reiterated the ministry of education's directive that there should be no tuition for pupils and students where the parents are compelled to pay large sums of money for their children to undergo the process.

He said that tuition programs have made many teachers to develop laxity that see many of them failing to complete the syllabus hoping to do so during tuition period and thus the program is illegal and discouraged.

"Tuition in terms of business is completely outlawed and therefore whoever shall be found doing the same shall be dealt with according to the regulations of the ministry because we are encouraging teachers to work hard and complete the syllabus within the stipulated time not to look forward to tuition time," said the director.

be transparent with government funds

In Mt. Elgon, Primary School heads have been asked to make sure the money received from the government is well utilized.

While addressing education stakeholders at Kibuk Girls Secondary School in Mt.Elgon, Bungoma County Director of Education Mr. Daniel Mosbei said that the school committee should always be aware how the money is being used so as to avoid confrontations.

“As a leader you must be transparent and have professional ethics,” Mr. Mosbei said.

He also noted that the performance in Mt. Elgon is going higher saying that they are on the right track but asked them to improve in English language which has been letting them down especially in public schools.

Answering questions from stakeholders on the issue of shortage of teachers in the region; Mr. Moibei told them that everywhere in the country there is a shortage of teachers but assured them that he will look into the matter.

He also urged the Provincial Administration and the community at large to help take care of the students in order to avoid school dropout and early pregnancies.

“Everyone has an obligation what is missing is parental obligation.”  Moibei said.

Speaking at the same function, Mt. Elgon District Education Officer Mr. Fredrick Osewe urged the community around to take education seriously and take their children to school.