Headteachers have cautioned Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, against being abrasive and arrogant, further blaming the rising cases of unrest in school on his perceived arrogance.
Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) complained that Magoha disregards his juniors intel, opting to act on his own accord.
The principals stated that they urged the CS to shut down schools before the cases of unruly behaviour by students got out of hands.
“He does not listen to county and sub-county directors of education and headteachers. School infrastructure is being destroyed each and every day. Whenever we request him to allow us to send the students home, the CS rejects and reiterates that schools must go on uninterrupted.
“We ask Magoha to reconsider his hardline stance as the parents are shouldering the burden,” KUPPET official, Sabala Inyeni stated. Inyeni heads KUPPET Vihiga branch.
The headteachers added that teachers were exhausted and also needed a break from the accelerated study program the CS initiated after schools reopened.
Magoha is under pressure to offer solutions that will end the recent spate of school fires from across the country. Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General and Nominated MP, Wilson Sossion, called on Magoha to provide solutions rather than heap blame on parents and teachers.
On November 2, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairperson, Indimuli Kahi, alleged that the Ministry of Education failed in its oversight role, and did not factor in half-term breaks in the new learning program.
"This was an oversight from the very beginning. When we had the pandemic response committee look at the opening of schools, that is when the calendar was drawn. At that point, we did not notice we missed out on half-term break," Kahi stated.
In response, Magoha argued that schools will not be shut down, and further directed parents and schools to reconstruct burnt facilities.
“It looks mundane and juvenile to burn a building. It is stupid, it's primitive and must stop. We are not closing any schools," stated the CS.
He, however, bowed to pressure and reintroduced half-term breaks.
"It has been decided that the half-term break will commence on Friday, November 19, 2021. The students will report back on Tuesday, November 23, 2021," the statement read in part.
