Western Regional Director of Education (RDE) Jared Obiero has exhorted Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to transfer heads in the month of November to curb misuse of school funds by outgoing principals and also for smooth transitions.
Obiero said outgoing principals usually siphon millions of school funds before they hand over to a new principal.
“Sometime we are shocked as Ministry of Education (MoE) officials that by the time a principal receives a transfer letter, the school debt is Ksh13 million and by the time he is handing over to the new principal, the debt is Ksh39 million. We ask ourselves; where is this Ksh26 million?” he posed.
He added that when TSC effects transfers in January and February, the school heads are happy because at that time the school has adequate money; then before they hand over, they raid the school accounts and leave it empty.
Obiero said as MoE, they will ensure that they lay down measures to stop that misuse because school funds are public money.
The RDE said any time a principal gets a transfer letter, he will instruct the Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) to close the school account until a new principal takes over.
“We will direct all our Sub-County Directors of Education to close school accounts when any principal receives a transfer letter and we will open that account when the new principal takes over so that we can avoid misuse of school funds,” said Obiero.
He was speaking at Legacy Hotel in Nakuru City during Kakamega County KESSHA Annual Conference, further urging principals to always adhere to procurement laws for transparency in expenditure.
He was accompanied by Kakamega CDE Hellen Nyangau, County TSC Director Margaret Kinyanjui, and some county KESSHA officials.
Obiero also told school heads to ensure they hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM), which should be attended by all parents to discuss academic progress of their school.
“Some of the principals are complaining that AGMs are expensive, but parents are the ones who pay school fees. They should know the progress of their children so that they can come up with measures to improve,” said Obiero, promising to require of all County Directors of Education (CDEs) an account of these meetings.
Obiero also urged all school heads to ensure that safety and health regulations are adhered to through creation of a clean and conducive environment where learners can enjoy learning.
He reminded principals that high standards of hygiene should be maintained in order to ensure students, teachers and staff are safe and free of any disease.
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