Standoff Erupts Over TSC’s Transfer of Isiolo Boys School Principal
Parents, the board of management, and local political leaders have threatened to petition Parliament against the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) decision to transfer the principal of Isiolo Boys High School.
Governor Abdi Guyo leads the opposition, stating that Mr. James Gituma has significantly improved the school’s academic performance and should not be transferred.
Governor Guyo emphasized that Mr. Gituma has overseen remarkable progress, with the school’s mean score rising from 3.6 three years ago to 5.4 last year.
The governor stressed that they do not want a non-performer replacing Mr. Gituma and will resist any such appointment by TSC.
Allegations of Ethnic Bias
The leaders accused a TSC commissioner of orchestrating the transfer to install a principal from his ethnic community.
Governor Guyo warned that they would petition the National Assembly to remove the commissioner if the transfer is not reversed.
He questioned the timing of the transfer, given that national exams are just four months away.
Attempts to get comments from TSC Chairman Jamleck Muturi and CEO Nancy Machaira were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the school’s Board of Management (BoM) chairman, Mohammed Boru, and the Parents and Teachers Association counterpart have also opposed the transfer, noting the school’s improving performance.
Past Challenges and Mr. Gituma’s Leadership
Mr. Gituma was confirmed as the head teacher of Isiolo Boys High School after serving as the Deputy Principal for seven years.
Previously, TSC had attempted to appoint another principal, but the decision was reversed due to opposition from the board and local leaders who supported Mr. Gituma’s promotion.
Area MCA Salesio Kiambi argued that there is no valid reason for transferring Mr. Gituma so soon after his promotion.
He insisted that the school’s performance should not be compromised and any new principal must be capable and not a poor performer.
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Isiolo Boys High School, once a top-performing institution, experienced declining academic results for several years due to issues like radicalization, drug abuse, indiscipline, and political interference.
Notable alumni include former Isiolo Governor Mohammed Kuti, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban, and Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal.
Standoff Erupts Over TSC’s Transfer of Isiolo Boys School Principal
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