Ambira High School Parents Express Concerns Over Increasing Fees, Ineffective Leadership, and Deteriorating Academic Performance

 


Parents of Ambira High School have expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration, highlighting various issues such as escalating fees, a decline in academic results, and alleged mismanagement.

The current school fees, which amount to Ksh 55,000, have recently been raised by an additional Ksh 4,000. Parents assert that this increase was meant to support teacher motivation initiatives and excursions, despite the school's academic performance plummeting to a mean score of 6.2. Alarmingly, 18 students received a grade Y in the most recent examinations, which has intensified concerns regarding the quality of education provided.

Furthermore, parents have voiced their worries about unfinished infrastructure projects and the lack of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to discuss these matters. At a recent gathering, some parents claimed they faced intimidation from the school administration when they tried to express their concerns.

Moreover, it has been reported that teachers at the school are feeling demoralized, with allegations that they are not compensated for remedial classes and are threatened with transfers if they raise issues regarding the administration.

The school is said to depend significantly on retired staff while neglecting younger, qualified teachers, a decision that has disrupted stability and further diminished trust in the institution. In response to these challenges, parents are urging the Ministry of Education to take action.

As a concerned parent at Ambira High School, I wish to highlight the urgent issues that have been impacting parents and the standard of education being provided to our children.

The school imposes excessive fees (Ksh 55,000), and recently, a few parent representatives convened and decided to raise the fees by 4,000 for 'teacher motivation and a trip to Mombasa', even after a significant decline in performance (mean 6.2) and 18 students receiving grade Y.

Numerous committed educators and PA representatives have voiced their dissatisfaction with decision-making processes that appear to be detached from the requirements of both students and staff.

The Principal has refused to convene a parents' AGM. Today, on the 24th of January, he contacted us (Form 4 parents) to intimidate us with threats from compromised TSC and M.O.E officials, successfully passing the resolutions. The informed parents from Nairobi were the first to receive threats.

This disconnect has fostered a culture of fear and uncertainty, causing parents to feel undervalued and overlooked. The teachers are demoralized and compelled to conduct remedial classes, for which they are never compensated.

When the Chief Principal is approached regarding payment, he threatens them with transfers or disciplinary action from the BOM. (The portal is open.) I am concerned for our sons. Adding to this issue is the troubling trend of teacher transfers that have occurred in recent months.

Several skilled teachers have been compelled to vacate their positions, not by their own choice, but due to ongoing conflicts with the administration that frequently remain unresolved. The practice of hiring retirees while dismissing young, capable BOM teachers is alarming.

Each transfer not only affects the careers of those teachers but also disrupts the educational continuity for our sons, depriving them of the guidance and support essential for their success. The consequences of these transfers reach beyond individual classrooms.

The most recent transfer involved a senior teacher who was moved for opposing exam cheating and reminding the principal's subordinates of his impending retirement.

The Principal operates the school solely with an acting deputy principal. How can a teacher with four years of service serve as a Deputy Administrator in a school that has two TSC-posted deputies?

Students deserve the highest quality education, which starts with a supportive and stable environment for their teachers. I implore fellow parents, the M.o.E, TSC, and community members to express their concerns and demand the leadership necessary for our school to flourish.

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