Relief for students as TSC redeploys 17 teachers to troubled school

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has redeployed 17 teachers to the troubled St Gabriel Isongo Secondary school after a series of meetings with the institution's Board of Management (BOM).

TSC Western Regional Director Joseph Mugele said of the 17 redeployed teachers, 14 were new in the school while three were reinstated from the lot that had been withdrawn.

Mugele said the commission's move will restore normalcy at the school. 

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"The teachers including the school principal have reported to the school, 16 teachers are from within Kakamega county while one is from a neighbouring county," he said. 

"We will be visiting the school regularly to support them so that learning goes on smoothly and uninterrupted, the three teachers will help to orient the new ones," said the official.

Residents stormed the school on January 12 and ejected the principal and director of studies over poor 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education KCSE results.

This forced TSC to withdraw 17 teachers from the school citing intimidation and harassment.

On Tuesday the commission held a meeting with stakeholders of the school where it was agreed that the withdrawal of teachers would be shelved to ensure smooth learning.

On Wednesday, Mumias East Deputy County Commissioner, Paul Langat, TSC Western Regional Director Mugele, Western Region Education Director Jared Obiero, management of the school together with the school sponsor, the Kakamega Catholic Diocese Church met to chat the way forward.

Mr Langat said they resolved that the school erects a proper fence to ensure safety of the teachers.

He revealed that local politicians had also promised to engage the parents and explain to them the benefit of cordial relations with teachers for the sake of the learners. 

The administrator said that the new teachers and students would undergo guidance and counseling sessions to ease anxiety.

"The stakeholders have recommended that the school's account be audited for transparency purposes and agreed with the political leadership to sensitise parents to pay fees on time for smooth running of the school," he said.

"The quality of learning at the school will also be audited to see where it can be reviewed," he added.

At the same time Langat said police officers have arrested four suspects behind the violence at the school and they would be arraigned on Thursday.

Mr Obiero said the government will support the school to ensure learners access quality education.

On Monday, Bumini Parish Father Frederick Igonzo said the TSC move to transfer teachers had greatly affected learning at the school which had been reduced to depending on the 13 tutors hired by the Board of Management. 

"We are struggling with the lean number of staff and we are burning the midnight oil to ensure TSC reinstates teachers at our school," he said.

Local leaders accused the commission of paralyzing learning and punishing innocent students yet the principal was ejected by the community with the support of some local leaders who are supposed to carry the blame.