Learning was disrupted at Mabwaita and Sosit primary schools in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County, after students and parents from Mabwata staged a two-kilometer march to Sosit School demanding the return of their head teacher who had been transferred there.
The parents and students blamed education officials for transferring the head teacher without informing them, claiming that the teacher was barely a year in the school and was already bringing the needed change.
Mabwaita resident Richard Langat said: “Asubuhi niliamkia nduru, kufika shuleni nikapata wanafunzi wakitoka na wazazi…kuuliza wakasema mwalimu wao amepigwa transfer (I was woken up by screams and upon reaching the school I found parents and children leaving…When I asked I was told their teacher was transferred.”
The school Board of Management which joined the parents and students said that last week they wrote to the Ministry of Education to protest the transfer of the head teacher.
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They claim that the head teacher has brought significant changes to the school by increasing the number of students from 50 to over 300 in a short period of time.
Mabwaita board member Shadrack Korir stated: “Our head teacher was barely a year in school, just six months old and the school was in ICU but he had done a tremendous job.”
Betty Korir, a parent at Mabwaita School, said: “Our children didn’t know how to read but now they can read and write. Others were taking drugs and alcohol but Cheruiyot has spoken to them and they reformed and continued with learning. Do you want them to go back to alcoholism?” he wondered.
Parents and leaders of Mabwaita Primary vowed to disrupt learning at Sosit Primary School until their head teacher is back, forcing police officers to intervene.
“Instead of coming to address us, we were coming for education matters but they are sending security officers,” Korir noted.
Bureti OCPD Benedict Chirchir said, “I ask parents that if transfer takes place, it is a normal process in the Ministry of Education so they should refrain from protesting but go the ministry’s office to address the matter.
The students and their parents marched for over three hours before holding a meeting with police officers and returning to the school. However, they are still calling on the Ministry of Education to reconsider their decision.
By our reporter
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