Principal whose school had KCSE score of 1.97 out 12 admits he’s failed in running centre, forced out of work

By Dolphas Ochola in Migori County

The principal of Gamba Secondary School in Awendo, Migori County, was on Tuesday bundled out of the school compound by angry parents, who accused him of failing to steer the institution towards success in KCSE for the third year running.

In the 2019 KCSE, 47 candidates who sat the national test at the institution registered a mean score of 1.97 (D-minus out of the maximum 12-A), with the leading performer posting a mean grade of D+ (Plus).

In 2018 KCSE, the school had registered a mean score of 3.24, which is a D (Plain).

Angry parents told K24 Digital that Gamba Secondary School principal, Evans Isanya, had promised them in 2018 that he would ensure the centre’s KCSE performance in 2019 improved from a mean score of 3.24 to 4.5 (C-minus). However, the performance dipped by 1.27, triggering fury among parents, whose children study at the school.

On Tuesday, January 14, parents stormed the institution and demanded Isanya’s transfer.

The parents marched to Isanya’s residence in the school, where they forced him to pack his belonging after he allegedly admitted that he had failed in running the learning centre.

Isanya, however, blamed the parents and Awendo community for “failing to support me in my bid to improve the school’s results in KCSE”.

Isanya, who was appointed as the head-teacher of Gamba Secondary School in 2017, further said he inherited management of the institution from his predecessor “who had left behind heavy debts”.

Isanya said the number of students registering to learn at the institution has been on a steady decline, hence affecting the total amount of money the government disburses to the school.

“I was forced to apply for personal loans to offset some of the debts that the school had incurred. That decision negatively affected my family’s finances,” he said.

“I also blame the parents for transferring some of the brightest students to other schools, leaving us with an academically-challenged lot,” he added.

“Even if the parents succeed in pushing me out, there will be no notable improvement in subsequent national test performances unless the parents, the community and students change their attitudes,” said Isanya.

Isanya’s woes were compounded by complaints from subordinate staff, who claimed they had not received their salaries dating back to September 2019.

John Odongo, one of the support staff at the school, told K24 Digital that he has been straining to feed his family and educate his children due to lack of money.

Following the ejection from the school by parents, Isanya’s fate as Gamba Secondary School principal remains unclear.