Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has urged principals whose schools were affected by arson attacks to stop exploiting parents.
Through a Facebook post, Oparanya asked the school heads to use experts from public works in assessing the damages before deciding on charges to impose on parents
“School Principals whose schools were affected by arson attacks should stop imposing exorbitant charges on parents to rebuild the affected structures. Principals should use officers from Public Works to assess the damages before they decide on charges and also ensure transparency in the process,” the Kakamega governor said.
Speaking at an event on Saturday November 13, Oparanya asked the Kakamega Boys High principal Gerald Orina to show some sympathy to parents and guardians.
In a notice dated November 10, 2021, Orina said that each student is supposed to pay Kshs9,823 to cater for the repair caused by the fire that burnt down a dormitory.
Oparanya faulted the school head for not consulting with parents and community leaders before coming up with the list of demands.
“I have received numerous phone calls from parents lamenting that the headteacher was not considerate while issuing the demands,” the former chair of council of governors said.
The incumbent termed the move as outrageous while saying that the money was not only intended to cover up repair costs but also build new dormitories.
“At Kakamega High School, every student was asked to pay Kshs10,000 and they have approximately 2,200 students,” he said.
Oparanya further noted that the Ministry of Education is capable of repairing classrooms and dormitories and is well informed to handle such matters as it has engineers, accountants and other officers who were consulted on quotations.
While addressing the issue in the rise of school fire incidents CS George Magoha said that parents will be responsible in catering for the repairs.
“It looks mundane and juvenile to burn a building. It is stupid, it’s primitive and must stop. We are not closing any schools,” Magoha added.
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