Koelel High School parents in court to block transfer of new principal to the school

Koelel High School parents have moved to court to challenge the decision by Teachers Service Commission transfer of a new principal to the school. [Courtesy]

 

Koelel High School parents have moved to court to challenge the decision by Teachers Service Commission transfer of a new principal to the school.

The four parents Beatrice Wanjiru Muigai, Kaburu Michael Mwangi, Bony Saruni and Pareiyio Joseph through lawyer Kipkoech Ng'etich in a notice of notice filed in a Nakuru High Court want the court issue conservatory orders staying a letter by TSC dated July 12, 2108.

In the letter TSC had transferred Mr. Obenge Philemon Ogola, the principal of Kericho Day Secondary School to Koelel High School to replace Mr Leterwa Mario's.

They have sued Teachers Service Commission, County Director of Education, the Deputy County Director of Education and the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and the Technology.

"That pending hearing and determination of this application inter-parties, this honorable court be pleased to issue conservatory orders staying letter dated July 12, 2018 transferring Mr Obenge Philemon Ogola, the principal Kericho Day Secondary to Kolelel High School to replace Mr Leterwa Marios," read part of the application.

The four also want the court issue conservatory orders preserving the school Board of Management and restraining TSC, the county director of education among others sued from interfering with the board in any manner whatsoever.

The replacement of Mr Mario, they claim is malicious and a witch hunt and present an avenue for the county director of education to settle personal scores at the expense of the students of Koelel high school access to basic education.

"The second respondent (the county director of education) had following the release of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education result for the year 2017 threatened to have the school principal removed for not following his directives and which directives were detrimental to the school," read a supporting affidavit by Wanjiru.

The threat according to her has been actuated with the transfer. Tribalism she added is taking a Centre stage and that the need by the director to have his man become principal; "a person who can kowtow and worship him," she stated.

They claim the transfer of Mr Mario is not in the best interest of students of the school who were doing well currently and that the right to basic education will be infringed.

“That it is in the interest of justice that this matter is heard urgently and determined so that respect for the rule of law can be immediately restored,” concluded the application.