Students Go On Strike over Principal’s High Handedness
Riyabu ELCK Secondary School students went on strike in Kisii Town over their headteacher’s use of excessive force in his administration.
the students walked for more than 10 kilometres very early in the morning seeking an audience with the Kenyenya Sub-County Director of Education Mr George Ouma over their concerns with their Head of Institution.
“We have come to give our grievances to this office hoping that they will find a way forward,” said one of the students.
Some students had carried leaves as they danced in protest while others walked into shops demanding sweets and biscuits while others threatened bystanders who attempted to stop their procession.
Once they met the sub-county director, they complained about Mrs Christine’s high-handedness.
They alleged that the principal provides them with less food and did not give them quality uniforms despite payment having been made for them.
The learners complained that there was a lack of clean drinking water in the school, frequent electricity blackouts and insecurity in the school.
They claimed that the school does not have a boarding master but instead the learners were left at the mercy of the school security guard who administered only Panadol tablets whenever they complained of illness.
They blamed the administrator for despising parents as she sent learners home for fees frequently without negotiating with them first.
The learners demanded the sub-county directors address their concerns or they will leave the school.
In the company of the sub-county director were Mrs Gladys Zachary, Kenyenya sub-county Deputy OCPD, Mrs Everlyne Kurgat and the KESSHA branch Chairperson Mr David Osoro. He lauded the students for maintaining peace in their quest to be heard.
He urged the learners to go back to school as he worked together with the school’s Board of Management committee to investigate their issues.
“It is good that you have told me your problems but I want you to go back to school and get settled as you give my office time to look into the matter in the best way possible,” said Mr Ouma.
He called on the young learners to be peaceful while telling them that a community without peace experiences a lot of problems and delayed development.
On her part, the Deputy OCPD urged them to face their daily challenges by adopting mechanisms for overcoming them and finding amiable ways of resolving conflict.
“The Constitution takes care of every one of us but it does not allow people to take shortcuts when solving their problems,” said Mr Ouma to the students.
She lauded the learners for their peacefulness but advised them to embrace dialogue whenever they have issues.
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