KUPPET to Sue Health and Education Ministries, Says Mukumu Girls’ Principal Dismissal is a Cover-up
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has accused the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education of negligence over the death of a teacher who served as a boarding mistress at Mukumu Girls’ High School.
Speaking at a press conference, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said the union would take legal action against the two ministries and sue for damages.
Misori claimed that the situation at Mukumu had been worsened by overpopulation in the institution resulting from the 100 per cent transition policy, which increased the number of students in most schools in Western Kenya, straining resources and causing health concerns.
KUPPET has also threatened to sue over the dismissal of Mukumu Girls’ Principal Frida Ndolo, terming it a cover-up. Misori faulted Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu over his decision to replace Ndolo with Sr Jane Mmbone Wamukoya, saying the government was only looking for someone to blame for their mistakes.
He added that instead of a knee-jerk reaction, Education CS Machogu should form a team to review the safety of learning institutions.
The union has accused the Ministry of Education of ignoring compliance issues and said that it was not until deaths occurred that anyone cared about compliance.
Misori also questioned how the Ministry of Education could ask schools to admit more students than their capacity, pointing out that a school of 2,028 students is equivalent to a sub-location in some jurisdictions of the country that have two health centres.
According to KUPPET, the dissolution of school boards and the retirement of headteachers amounts to a cover-up. Misori said that punishing Ndolo undermines the need to find a solution to problems beyond her control.
He added that KUPPET was not amused with events where victims are penalized for issues that are beyond their control.
KUPPET to Sue Health and Education Ministries, Says Mukumu Girls’ Principal Dismissal is a Cover-up
