The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has directed the principal of Lufinga Girls Secondary School to establish a parents’ association, aiming to foster greater parental involvement in school governance. This move follows allegations of corruption, exclusion of parents from school affairs, and the misuse of school fees collected through mobile money transactions
Parental Complaint Sparks Investigation
The directive was issued after a parent lodged a formal complaint accusing the principal of various misconducts, including directing parents to pay school fees via a local mobile money shop linked to a private account.
“The principal has been accused of corruption, frustrating students, and failing to provide food despite parents paying school fees. Additionally, she is alleged to collect fees through a personal mobile money account,” the complaint read.
Parents also expressed frustration over being excluded from school decision-making processes, with no meetings held to discuss academic performance or other pressing issues.
CAJ Calls for Action
In response to the allegations, CAJ reached out to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, urging an immediate investigation. TSC complied by forming an inquiry panel to address the concerns.
Findings and Recommendations
The investigation confirmed that the principal had indeed failed to involve parents in school matters, leading to the directive to establish a parents’ association. However, the panel cleared the principal of other allegations, including claims of withholding food from students and misusing funds collected via mobile money.
“The establishment of a parents’ association will help bridge communication gaps and promote collaboration between the school administration and parents,” CAJ noted.
Other Directives Issued by CAJ
In a separate development, CAJ instructed the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to disclose details about a tender awarded for constructing the old Mai-ai-hii (Eliud Mathu) Road in Gikambura, Kari Ward, Kiambu County. This directive came after a Kenyan citizen, Lucy Kamau, requested transparency on project licenses, permits, and compliance with environmental regulations.
Next Steps
CAJ has given TSC 21 days to submit a detailed report on the matter, signaling the government’s commitment to addressing corruption and fostering accountability in educational institutions.
