Kasaka Parents, Pupils Protest Second Time Demanding For Immediate Tranfer of Deputy Headteacher

By Our Reporter

Parents and pupils of Kasaka primary school in Baringo North Sub-County Thursday protested for the second time demanding immediate transfer of 'unwanted' Deputy Headteacher, who acted as school headteacher to date since 2018. 

Learning was disrupted after more than 50 irate residents stormed the school carrying twigs and chanting 'Jeremiah, Njeri must go' hoping Teachers Service Commission(TSC) and ministry of education would listen to their plights.

"We held our first protest against in 2022 demanding for his removal, but he remained unshaken," a parent Nick Chelimo said, terming him 'stumbling block.'

He also said they have since then sought help at TSC and Ministry of Education Sub-County offices in Kabartonjo, but the response has always been "impossible."

Among the allegations, they said the deputy head has, since he landed the school on transfer in 2018, assumed duties of headteacher after five headteachers posted to the school by TSC existed under his watch, "meaning he is such a difficult person to work with".

He serves in the same station with his wife. Among the protesters were David Cheserek, Josphat Kisoi, Boniface Chemjor, Nick Yego, David Chelimo, and Mathew Cheserek.

"Any time he brags saying he always goes to the above offices with money while you people go there empty hands," another resident said.

He said the deputy head also keeps on intimidating parents seeking services from the school, saying, "what do you still want from me yet you protested against me in 2022." 

They linked his hostility and failure to embrace teamwork to drastic drop in school performance and diminishing pupils population from 200 to the current 60 or 90, after majority parents withdrew and took their children to the neighbouring schools.

"Even himself he has removed and taken his own children to a nearby private school, confirming the school's low performance," Cheserek said. 

He said the school has never realised good results since its inception in 1960s.

The protesters further said the teacher declined call for transfer, saying he won't since he is the son of the soil.

They allege that he has got sour working relationship with the school committee and teachers, "who always claim being intimidated, some threatening to quit." 

They how, however, demanded for his immediate transfer saying they will tirelessly protest every week, "until our grievances are heard."

Being contacted for comment, the accused deputy head teacher's phone was out of network.

However, Baringo North TSC Director Robert Rutto said he was not in a position at the moment to respond, saying he was held up in the ongoing interviews for teachers.