Jonathan Gloag Academy Woes Intensify As Parents Sue School Board Over Headteacher's Retirement

• The angry parents contested the decision of Jonathan Gloag Academy CEO Collins Oywera to send headteacher William Mulema on retirement
• The furious parents revealed that they had conversed with the board and presented grievances that demanded urgent attention
• In the petition, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and Mulema have been mentioned as interested parties

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Lang'ata, Nairobi - Parents and guardians of students at Jonathan Gloag Academy have filed a petition challenging the school board and the school's Chief Executive Officer.

The parents were grieved by the failure of the school’s board of governors to establish a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) as required under section 55(3) of the Basic Education Act, Cap 211.

The parents also contested the legitimacy of the decision of CEO Collins Oywera to retire William Mulema, the headteacher.

"The decision to retire Mulema was conducted abruptly, arbitrarily, unreasonably, and unlawfully; without notice to the parents, and against the best interest of the learners," read a statement by Jonathan Gloag Academy parents and guardians petition working group, witnessed by TUKO.co.ke.

Why did Jonathan Gloag Academy's parents opt for court directions?

According to advocate Dudley Ochiel, several parents and guardians had raised concerns following the unexpected communication of the retirement of Mulema on March 28, 2024, leading to their meeting with a section of the board on April 2, 2024.

During their meeting, they presented a petition containing several grievances which required immediate attention and resolution, considering their direct and significant impact on the welfare of the learners.

"The board has however not honoured its pledge to meet these representatives, and it has consistently continued to ignore communication from them. The board further accused some parents and guardians of engaging in acts of violence, threatening behaviour, and defamation against members of staff and the institution," the statement added.

Who did Jonathan Gloag Academy's parents sue?

According to the petition, Ochiel states that the JGA board of governors and Oywera have been listed as the first and second respondents, respectively.

The immediate former headteacher, Mulema and the Cabinet Secretary of Education Ezekiel Machogu were mentioned as the first and second interested parties.

High Court Judge Jarius Ngaah ordered that all parties be served within 14 days.

Additionally, respondents and interested parties must file and serve their responses within the same timeframe as the applicant's motion.

What caused troubles at Jonathan Gloag Academy?

On April 2, parents protested at the school against the appointment of a CEO, Oywera, who was granted excessive powers.

Shortly after taking up the position, he abruptly sent the headteacher home without informing the school or parents, hence prompting them to demand his immediate removal.

Additionally, he was accused of harshly handling teachers who arrived late by requesting KSh 1,000 from each of them.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke