Yumbisye Secondary School parents in Wikililye, Kitui Central, took to the streets to demand that the school’s Chief Principal be transferred. The parents said that they went to the Teachers Service Commission’s office to vent their grievances.
They alleged that the school principal, Elizabeth Chege, is to blame for the school’s poor performance and has refused to listen to the parents. They claimed that the TSC Director told them that the Principal would not be transferred anytime soon. They further alleged that since the principal arrived, the school’s performance has been declining.
“Our current principal came from a large school, but she has no prior experience leading a school like ours.” This is owing to the large population, and we require someone who is knowledgeable in her field. Parents have been pressuring us because they claim the principal does not respect them, is not strict with the students, and has demanded a zero fee balance despite the fact that there is no money,” said Paul Kitemange, the PTA Chairman.
He also stated that the principal has been sending the students for school fees on a regular basis, which has resulted in poor performance because the students are unable to concentrate on their studies.
Kitemange went on to say that she is rarely at school, and that only 11 of the 278 candidates in the 2021 KCSE received a C+ or higher, six obtained a C plain , and 252 received a C- or lower.
“The parents are now asking where they will take their failed children, while the principal is unconcerned about the situation, and she is known for dividing the teachers, parents, and the board, and as you know, when a family is divided, nothing good can happen,” Kitemange added.
Sophia Mueni, a parent at the school, bemoaned the fact that the school had previously been the best day school in Kitui, producing all-around pupils, but that everything changed after Madam Chege arrived.
Yumbisye has been a giant school and was almost upgraded to the rank of a provincial school since it was founded by the late principle Musau, followed by Baraka Kasoa, and then Principal Mwalili. But since this woman arrived, everything has been falling apart. This school has never received a D, which is why Mueni says he wants another performing principal who will assist the children and teachers.
If the principal is not relocated to another school, the parents have stated that they will withdraw their children.
