West Pokot County Governor John Lonyangapuo has faulted a number of school heads for selling school property, with students at home during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Governor pointed out that a number of school headteachers and principals are selling and misusing school property without putting in mind that school will reopen and learning will continue after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at Roponywo primary school where he went to intervene after the school headteacher had sold the school trees, Lonyangapuo blamed the headteacher for selling away school property without consulting the school committee members. Drama ensued at the school compound when the Governor appeared to stop the tree cutting. Some parents supported the headteacher’s action of cutting the trees and some were against his actions.
“School property should be well guarded. Why take advantage of the Coronavirus to misuse school property?” posed Lonyangapuo. He added that a number of school heads have already exhausted school funds hence asked auditors to conduct auditing in some schools.
He added that schools have been turned into business hubs as school heads enrich their pockets and he asked locals to raise a red flag when they notice any school heads selling school property.
Some parents from Raponywo primary school expressed their concerns, saying that it was wrong for the headteacher to sell the trees at Kshs 100,000 without consulting the school committeee. “The headteacher made a mistake but he should be forgiven. The school chairman should not be arrested. I plead with police officers to release him as we solve the issue,” said Mark Korir, one of the school committee members. Keringet OCS Wanjala Wafula was called to calm the situation hence asked locals to stay calm and follow government laws. Efforts to reach the school head were futile as he could not pick calls.
