MPs, commission to meet over hasty transfer of assaulted tutors

Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Western region are expected to hold a meeting with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) today to deliberate on the decision to withdraw tutors from some schools in the region.

Last week, TSC transferred 17 teachers at St Gabriel Isongo Secondary School to other stations in Bungoma and Kakamega after irate parents stormed the school to complain over dismal performance in last year’s national examinations.

During the incident, the principal was forcefully ejected, with a similar situation experienced at Mafuta Secondary School.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu (pictured) termed invasion of schools and attacks on teachers are unfortunate, even as he called for the need to adopt careful, systematic and consultative means of ensuring that innocent children are not deprived of their right to education.

“I wish to state that the performance of candidates is the sum total of the efforts of all stakeholders, not just the teachers. We must ensure that the best interests of the child are accorded paramount importance in all matters concerning the child, including the child’s education,” explained Machogu.

He has since directed the Ministry of Education’s field officers and Boards of Management to move fast and work with TSC and their Interior and National Administration counterparts to iron out misunderstandings in some of the schools where parents invaded schools.