Students protest over 'poor management' at college

More than 1,000 students at Mosoriot Teachers Training College demonstrated on Monday over what they termed poor management of the institution and called on the Government to change the leadership.

Waving twigs and placards, the students walked for over 20 kilometres to the county headquarters in Kapsabet to air their grievances at the county education offices. They said the administration needed to change the manner in which it handled students.

They accused the deputy principal of often sending away students who are not able to clear all school fees, citing the recent move by the administration not to register them in the upcoming Primary Teacher Education (PTE) examinations.

“We all come from different family backgrounds and it is impossible for all of us to clear the fees at once. Sadly, the management has been hard on us and is not willing to listen to our plight,” said Noah Kipchumba, the student chairperson.

He said that over 189 students recently missed out on their teaching practice for not clearing the fees.

“The deputy principal has been tough on students, insisting that we ought to pay all the fees for us to go for our industrial attachment. She lacks mercy and is only concerned with money and not our welfare,” he added.

 INCREASED FEES

Rose Achieng, another student, alleged that their fees have been increasing each term without any official communication from the management.

She noted that this term alone, they were forced to pay Sh64,000 - an increase from the previous Sh38,000 - and wondered why no development has so far been done at the institution.

“Toilets are in pathetic condition, forcing students to relieve themselves in nearby bushes within the institution. Why have we been reduced to this kind of a situation yet our parents are being asked to pay more school fees?” she posed.

Ms Achieng said attempts to seek guidance from the management have been futile, alleging that they have not been able to continue with their studies as per the syllabus.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT

“There is no change in the institution. Our performance has dropped drastically and no one is paying attention. When students are sick, no one is willing to attend to them, the only option is changing the institution’s management,” she said.

School Principal Cherutich Lagat stated that the administration had agreed to register the students for the (PTE) exams but lamented that learners owe the institution Sh14 million in arrears. “Inasmuch as we shall do our best to register them, it is also important for their parents to clear the outstanding fee balance because the same amount is used run the institution,” he said.