Kuppet official defends Alliance principal
A Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) official has come to the defence of embattled Alliance High School former principal David Kariuki demanding he be given a “fair trial and right to respond.”
Kuppet Laikipia County Executive Secretary Ndungu Wangenye said the principal should not be condemned before being given a chance to be heard over a damning report that revealed bullying and torturing of students in the national school.
The unionist blamed the Ministry of Education for increased cases of indiscipline in learning institutions.
He said the ministry has failed to employ professional staff to handle the social issues.
“Action to be taken by the Teachers Service Commission on the report should not be a witch-hunt on the former teacher. We are not defending him because any kind of bullying cannot be condoned.
“Corporal punishment was banned and substituted with guidance and counselling. The Ministry did not employ professional counselors in schools but instead appointed some teachers to head the department,” he said.
He claimed teachers heading the counselling department are overwhelmed since they have normal duties of teaching.
Mr Kariuki quit following allegations of bullying at the school that are said to have left scores of students injured.
The bullying was said to have been carried out by prefects and senior students for a long time yet the principal had not taken action.
