Principals to discuss sexual abuse in schools
What you need to know:
The conference is expected to be dominated by two issues: Deliberations on errant teachers suspected of sexually harassing students and security of public schools.
The meeting comes in the wake of police investigations into the circumstances in which a Form Two student at Moi Girls Nairobi was recently raped in the school.
Maasai Girls School in Narok was also closed indefinitely after students walked out to protest an alleged case of sexual harassment at the school by a male teacher.
More than 8,000 heads of secondary schools begin their meeting Sunday. The conference is expected to be dominated by two issues: Deliberations on errant teachers suspected of sexually harassing students and security of public schools.
Speaking to the Nation, Kenya Secondary School Headteachers Association chairman Kahi Indimuli warned teachers and principals against preying on their students.
However, he also cautioned Kenyans against blanket condemnation of teachers, urging them to wait for investigations to be concluded.
The headteachers will meet at the Wild Waters in Mombasa for the 43rd Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) annual conference up to Friday.
NOBLE PROFESSION
The meeting comes in the wake of police investigations into the circumstances in which a Form Two student at Moi Girls Nairobi was recently raped in the school.
Maasai Girls School in Narok was also closed indefinitely after students walked out to protest an alleged case of sexual harassment at the school by a male teacher.
“Teaching is a noble profession and we give you our children to teach and protect and not to defile them,” said former Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Hammad Kassim, when he led Muslims in prayers in Mombasa on Friday.
Mr Indimuli said KESSHA would not defend teachers found guilty of defiling students.
“So long as there is enough evidence that pins down the principals or teachers, we will not defend them. The principal is a custodian of these children. If a custodian goes and preys on them, it is wrong,” he said.
BLANKET CONDEMNATION
Mr Indimuli, who is also the Machakos Boys’ High School Principal, however, insisted that there must be no blanket condemnation.
“Some of these students can decide to frame a teacher or a principal for one reason or another. When such reports are made, let us allow investigations to be concluded,” he said. He urged investigators to gather enough evidence to prosecute suspected teachers.
“You cannot condemn 50 per cent of male teachers because of 0.01 per cent of errant principals. Let’s stop the collective condemnation that principals are preying on their students,” he asked.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Re-directing the education sector in Kenya”.
DEVOLUTION IMPACT
On Monday, KESSHA will hold teacher recognition presentations, which will be coordinated by Teachers Service Commission director of teacher management Mary Rotich.
On Tuesday, Deputy President William Ruto and Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed are expected to open the conference and give the keynote address.
“Different players in the sector will give their views, including the chairperson of TSC and Early Learning and Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang,” Mr Indimuli said.
TSC director of human resources Josephine Maundu is expected to tackle the thorny issue of collective bargaining agreement while Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana will discuss the impact of devolution on the education sector.
