The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has warned parents against attacking teachers and blaming them for the poor performance some schools recorded in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2024 results.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, January 16, leaders from KUPPET reminded parents that the performance of students is a collective responsibility between teachers, parents, and students and not teachers only.
The Executive Secretary of KUPPET Nairobi Branch, Moses Owiti Mbora, condemned the recent occurrences where parents and students joined forces to attack school teachers and principals for dismal KCSE results.
Owiti blamed the government for not funding education on time and in full capacity. His sentiments were echoed by Zablon Oluoch, the KUPPET leader in Kisumu.
"When they storm schools to harass teachers and principals, they should know that teachers don't sit for exams on behalf of learners so that the grades should be theirs. It is the students who sit for those exams," Owiti said.
On Thursday 12, teachers drawn from Bumula Boys High School submitted transfer letters requesting to be transferred to different schools following vigorous attacks by students and parents over poor performance.
The teachers revealed that the parents attacked them in their homes at night, stoning and threatening their safety in the school, the teachers revealed they no longer felt safe to continue teaching in the school.
Elsewhere, teachers were ambushed at Kongamor High School in Teso South when parents demanded answers on why the results were poor. The parents blamed the teachers for poorly executing their duties.
In Nairobi, the principal of Olympic Secondary School was assaulted by people claiming to be parents interrogating the KCSE performance. The goons roughed up the principal, beat him, and tore his clothes.
Following the numerous incursions on the teachers, KUPPET has warned parents against continuing with the attacks. They have advised parents to forge unity with the teachers and have good working relationships for the benefit of the children.
"There must be a coordinated and positive relationship between schools and communities, they should never harass principals and teachers within schools.
In the 2024 KCSE exams, a total of 712,537 students did not attain the minimum grade of C+ plus with only 246,391 securing direct university admission. A figure that represents only 25.5 per cent.
