Learning paralysed as students protest principal's transfer

Learning was paralysed at Limuko Secondary School in Bahati sub-County when students went on the rampage to protest the transfer of their principal.

The students walked out of classrooms and took to the streets of Kabatini trading centre, accusing a senior teacher of engineering the move.

The rowdy students demanded the immediate reinstatement of their preferred principal by the Teachers Service Commission.

Students President Dominic Maina said the circumstances under which principal Dominic Njenga was transferred to Lower Subukia were unclear.

"The principal had strategies to ensure discipline that had a positive impact on our academic performance. But a senior teacher has continued fighting him in order to be elevated," he claimed.

School chairman Ben Mwangi said the board of governors had received complaints from students about the senior teacher and was probing the accusations.

Sexual affairs

He said earlier allegations that the principal had sexual affairs with female students were untrue and meant to tarnish his name.

"The school committee is going through the complaints against the deputy principal. However, earlier allegations that he had affairs with students are untrue because parents and students did not complain," said Mr Mwangi.

He said students would be required to report back to school accompanied by their parents.

Nakuru Director of Education Esther Muiru has called on students to remain calm while her office works on an amicable solution to the matter.

She also called on teachers, students and the school board to avoid disrupting learning, saying a lot of study time had already been wasted during the countrywide teachers' strike.

"Teacher transfers are inevitable. But education officers are investigating the issue to avoid paralysing learning," said Ms Muiru.