West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has faulted the transfer of school principals whose schools were involved in exam cheating. This comes after last year’s KCSE exam results belonging to Ortum Boys and St. Cecilia, Chepareria girls in the County were cancelled due to exam cheating.
The schools which were affected in the County are Ortum Boys High school, where the former Principal has been transferred to Chewoyet Boys and St. Cecilia Chepareria Girls whose former principal Mrs. Mary Ruto has been transferred to St. Joseph’s Girls in Trans Nzoia County.
The Governor said the principals who were in charge of schools that had their results cancelled shouldn’t be transferred to other schools, instead, they should stay put to solve issues affecting their schools.
“The principals knew the mess they had done in their previous schools that’s why they hurriedly left to new schools,” he said, “We rejected the transfer of Ortum Boys principal to Chewoyet because his performance was questionable.” The West Pokot Governor added that the principals will mess things up in their newly allotted schools.
Lonyangapuo hit out at the Education CS Dr. Fred Matiangi for not consulting with leaders and all education stakeholders the issue of principals’ transfers.
“Matiang’i shouldn’t pretend he knows much, he should consult with local leaders before transferring teachers,” he said.
He said learning in the two schools may be affected if the principals are interdicted. “Ortum Boys was ranked number 26 nationally and the future of 320 boys has been ruined. Parents have lost millions of shillings due to the nullification of results. The two schools have lost over 15 million shillings each, given that students won’t go to university but will have to go back to class,” he lamented.
Speaking at Kachepmogen Secondary school, Lonyangapuo further said that the transfers of Principals whose schools have been mentioned should be revoked for investigations to be conducted.
“We as leaders were blamed over interference in school affairs but the truth has come out. If a teacher has a problem you should deal with the issue at that exact moment,” said the West Pokot Governor.
Moreover, he urged on the Teachers Service Commission boss Mrs. Nancy Macharia to retire over the mess created by the issue of transfer of teachers.
