The Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning to members of support staff working in public schools in Trans Nzoia County against harassing learners.
Trans Nzoia County Director of Education (CDE) Mr. Luke Chebet issued the warning last Saturday in an interview with Kenya News Agency (KNA).
CDE Chebet’s stern warning followed an unfortunate incident in which three Form One students at St. Monica Girls escaped with serious burns when one of the institutions cooks poured hot water on them.
According to medical reports, one of the students sustained serious injuries necessitating her admission at Kiminini Cottage Hospital. The other two students escaped with mild injuries and were treated and discharged the same day.
Making reference to the unfortunate incident that occurred last week and which has raised concerns among parents and the public, Chebet disclosed the Ministry had taken appropriate actions.
“Upon receiving a report of the incident, my office instructed the school’s Board of Management (BOM) to convene an urgent meeting. The same was done and one of the resolutions was summarily dismissal of the cook,” revealed Chebet.
Chebet advised schools’ heads and boards of management to be extra careful when recruiting members of staff, especially those within the unskilled category, in order to avoid endangering the lives of the innocent learners.
“The ministry will institute disciplinary actions against heads in charge of public schools where staff commit criminal offenses towards learners,” cautioned Chebet.
He used the occasion to warn school heads against overburdening parents by demanding from them cash for what he termed as unlawful levies.
“My office has received several complaints by parents across the County, with most of them lamenting about their children being sent home for money,” said Chebet who urged the heads to be cognizant of the present hard economic moment.
The official cited money for CBC and motivation as some of the illegal collections done by some schools.
“In fact, some heads have gone to the extent of advising financially constrained parents to pay using valuable items such as chicken,” noted Chebet who expressed disappointment.
By Maurice Aluda
