Keep off politics from teachers – West Mugirango MP tells off sponsors at Kiangungu Prayers Day
The Mt Kenya Times 
West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka has called for an end to political interference in the management of schools. Photo/Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka has called for an end to political interference in the management of schools, saying teachers must be respected and allowed to do their work without intimidation from politicians and school sponsors.
Speaking at Kianungu school during prayer day, the MP was firm that politics should be kept away from classrooms and that school sponsors should not interfere with school programs.
He said frequent wrangles caused by external interests were disrupting learning and demoralizing teachers, which in turn affects the performance of students.
“Let us keep politics out of our schools. Our teachers must be respected. They have been trained and employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to teach and manage our schools. Let TSC do its work without interference,” Mogaka said.
He noted that some schools in the region have been experiencing conflicts where sponsors and local politicians attempt to influence the appointment of principals, BOM members and even dictate how school funds should be used.
He warned that such interference is harmful to education standards.
“When you bring politics into a school, you kill the morale of teachers and confuse our students. A school sponsor’s role is to support the spiritual and moral growth of students, not to run the school or fight teachers. Let principals and teachers be given space to run schools professionally,” he added.
Mogaka said his office will continue to support education through the NG-CDF kitty by improving infrastructure, paying fees for needy students, and ensuring schools have adequate learning materials.
He challenged parents to also play their role by supporting their children and working closely with teachers.
He urged the KCSE candidates at Kiangungu Secondary School to remain focused, disciplined and prayerful as they prepare for their final examinations.
He encouraged them to believe in themselves and aim for high grades to join universities and colleges.
“The future of West Mugirango depends on you. You are the doctors, engineers, teachers and leaders we are waiting for. Do not be distracted. Use the few remaining months to revise hard, respect your teachers, and pray to God for success,” he told the candidates.
The MP also announced that his office will support the school’s infrastructure development to create a better learning environment.
He promised to allocate funds for the completion of ongoing projects in the school.
The school principal, Ms Sarah Okeyo, thanked the MP for honoring the invitation and for his continued support to education in the constituency.
She said the Prayers Day was important to spiritually nourish the candidates and give them confidence ahead of the national exams.
“The presence of our MP today has motivated our students and teachers. We have been facing challenges but we are determined to post good results this year. We fully agree that teachers should be respected and allowed to work without political interference,” the principal said.
Parents and students who attended the event also lauded the MP’s message, saying teachers need support and not pressure from outside forces.
They said if teachers are respected and schools are left to run professionally under TSC guidelines, academic performance in West Mugirango will improve.
The day ended with special prayers for the candidates, teachers and the school fraternity, with religious leaders calling for peace, discipline and hard work in all schools.
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