Nyakemincha Primary School faces crisis over mass transfer of teachers

A pupil takes a nap in class at Nyakemincha Primary School after teachers failed to turn up for lessons. [PHOTO: STANLEY ONGWAE/STANDARD]

Learning at Nyakemincha Primary School remained paralysed for the third week yesterday following a crisis occasioned by transfer of teachers.

The school hit the headlines about six years ago when it was ranked last countrywide in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations.

When The Standard visited the school yesterday, only two teachers in the upper classes were present while the new headteacher was away.

World bank

The two teachers working under the World Bank -unded programme ‘Tusome’ were not affected by the transfers.

County Director of Education Siloma Kinaiya said the transfers were recommended after findings by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the County Education Directorate and complaints from parents.

“We had received grievances from parents that the school was not doing well and that there were serious issues which needed to be solved amicably,” said Mr Kinaiya.

County TSC Director John Odongo, however, said the new headteacher, his deputy and one other teacher had already reported.

He said three more teachers were supposed to report by last Friday but had not and were likely to face disciplinary action.

According to Mr Odongo, the school which has a population of 185 pupils, was overstaffed.

“We were concerned that the teachers were not working as required and about the reluctance in execution of their duties,” said Odongo.

Last week, parents stormed the school and withdrew their children, citing uncertainty over learning at the institution.

Anne Maosa, a parent, said her two children had never been taught despite reporting to school, a matter she said must be addressed before she allows them back.

Post teachers

“We are annoyed that the pupils have been left idle without anyone attending to them. We want the Government to post teachers,” said Ms Maosa.

Joshua Mogaka Obiero, the school’s chairman, said the board of management was following up with the Ministry of Education office in Nyamira.

“We followed up the issue with TSC and we were told we would be given teachers but for a week now we have not seen any.

There are only two who have reported and they cannot manage the population of pupils,” said Mr Obiero.