Parents of Wiru Mixed Day Secondary in Maara Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County are calling for the immediate transfer of the school Principal Karanja Kung’u after the institution posted poor results in the 2024 KCSE examinations.
During a stakeholders meeting at the school, the parents regretted that the institution had been turned into a dumping site for students suspended from other learning institutions due to indiscipline and poor performance, with the Principal prioritising the government’s 100 per cent transition over good results.
The parents blamed the Principal for the high number of indiscipline cases witnessed among the students, a challenge that they insist is a major contributor to the poor examination results witnessed over the years since Karanja took over in 2020.
According to Mike Mbogo, and alumnus of the school, most of the students who had the potential of attaining university entry grades have ended up performing below expectations, raising concern over the priorities and leadership of the school where 15 students had been admitted with over 300 marks in KCPE, while 41 students had between 250-300 marks in admission. Some 16 other students had been admitted with 200-250 marks.
The examination results analysis revealed an extremely negative deviation by top performers, where a student admitted in the school with 360 marks got D, while another admitted with 347 in KCPE got a D+.
In yet another case, a student admitted to the school with 300 marks got a D-, in an examination that saw the school register eight E grades.
READ ALSO: Middle-aged killed fire rips school dormitory Tharaka Nithi
In the overall grade, the school recorded 3C, 11C-, 16D+, 26D, 45D- and 8E with a total mean score of 2.8716 from 109 students.
“We had written a letter to the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission and other relevant stakeholders highlighting the issues in the school, but our demands have never been met. We have issues that need to be addressed. Students have high levels of indiscipline. Students are willing to transfer from better schools to come here since there is freedom. Most of our students have wasted their potential. We need a strict Principal who can deliver results,” Mbogo said.
Delocalization of teachers
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki who was present in the stakeholder meeting noted that delocalization of teachers had affected most schools in the past, with most Principals not being motivated with student performance since they do not come from the area.
Homegrown leadership
He said most of the schools were back to their feet and had stabilized due to homegrown leadership and that he had already spoken to Karanja who had agreed to take immediate leave.
“Let the school be now handed over to the Deputy Principal. We are not against the 100 per cent transition the Principal had prioritized but we want to ensure that students not only get good grades but also acquire great character. You can’t say that grades or discipline is not important,” he said.
The MP said they were working to see a peaceful and smooth transition for a new Principal at the school.
“Wiru Mixed Day Secondary has been one of the best day schools we have and was a top school in transitioning students to university. How now can it be among the worst performing? he wondered.
“There is a time when we must say enough is enough and I agree with the parents that Karanja must go.”
By John Majau
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news