The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has refuted claims regarding the transfer of the Principal of Butere Girls High School, amidst escalating controversy surrounding the school’s drama production, Echoes of War.
Wilson Koros, the TSC Director for Kakamega County, communicated via telephone with The Standard, stating that he had encountered the circulating rumors online but clarified that no such transfer had occurred.
“There has been no official communication regarding the transfer of the Butere Girls principal. I have also observed the reports online, but they are inaccurate,” Koros asserted.
He further elaborated, “I am currently attending a training session in Naivasha with my regional director, and I have not authorized any such claims. There is nothing even remotely related to that.”
This development follows a strong condemnation from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who criticized the school’s administration for violating national regulations by permitting a non-educator to direct the play.
In a press statement released on Thursday, Ogamba indicated that the school’s decision to appoint former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala as the director of the play contravened Section 9.0 Note C of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF) guidelines. This section specifies that only TSC-registered teachers or qualified lecturers from recognized post-secondary institutions are permitted to train or direct student performances.
“We cannot permit individuals to manipulate schoolchildren against authority. Political conflicts should be resolved by politicians outside educational settings,” Ogamba remarked.
He further cautioned school principals against circumventing TSC regulations in co-curricular activities, emphasizing that such actions undermine professionalism and expose students to inappropriate influences.
Ogamba also referenced a potential violation of Regulation (x) of the drama and film festival rules, which prohibits hate speech or derogatory content directed at individuals, communities, or genders, whether performed on stage or disseminated online. He criticized the Butere Girls administration for failing to comply with the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics (2015), which mandates clear professional boundaries and the safeguarding of students from unauthorized individuals.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Ogamba reiterated the Ministry of Education’s commitment to fostering student talent through co-curricular programs while underscoring the necessity for strict adherence to established guidelines. The play Echoes of War, directed by Malala, has become the focal point of a national debate following its reinstatement in the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.
Meanwhile, the Commission has warned schools against engaging non teachers in cocurricular activities.
“Persons not registered as teachers (including whose names have been removed from the register of teachers) should not be incorporated in the school programmes (including co-curricular activities) to teach, handle, manage, coach, supervise and or assist in the teaching,handling, managing, coaching, supervision of pupils/learners. Cleophas Malalah holds no official authorization to engage with or represent students in any capacity” says TSC Boss Dr. Nancy Macharia.
