The Ministry of Education has responded to reports suggesting that the government took disciplinary action against the Board of Management and Principal of Butere Girls High School, following growing controversy surrounding the school’s drama play “Echoes of War.”
The clarification comes after students from Butere Girls were failed to perform the play at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF) held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Melvin Jones Academy in Nakuru County, despite being scheduled to take the stage.
In the wake of Thursday’s events, speculation emerged that the government had acted against the school’s leadership.
However, in an official statement, Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok dismissed the claims, emphasizing that no action had been taken against the school’s management or principal.
He added that the Ministry will conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Bitok Denies taking action against Butere Girls School Board & Principal
The Principal Secretary clarified that no disciplinary action has been taken against the Principal or Board of Butere Girls High School, noting that any such decision will be guided by the outcome of ongoing investigations.
However, Prof. Bitok emphasized that the rules and regulations governing KNDFF will be reviewed, and stricter compliance measures will be enforced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Existing rules forbid involvement of non-teaching staff/unregistered teachers or those outside registered education institutions No disciplinary action has been taken yet against Butere principal or the school Board of Management. Such action will be informed by investigations.,” said Bitok.
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The Principal Secretary also dismissed reports claiming that the 2025 KNDFF had been disrupted by a boycott from other participating schools, affirming that the festival is proceeding as planned.
Prof. Bitok made the remarks after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), through its Kakamega County Director Wilson Koros, also refuted claims of disciplinary action against the Butere Girls’ Principal or Board of Management.
Speaking to The Standard, Koros acknowledged awareness of the circulating reports but clarified that no such transfer or action had been initiated by the Ministry.
“There is no official communication regarding any transfer of the Butere Girls’ Principal. I’ve seen the reports online as well, but they are not true,” Koros stated.
Ogamba faults school administration
However, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has sharply criticized the administration of Butere Girls High School for violating national regulations by allowing a non-teacher to direct their drama play.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, CS Ogamba said the school’s decision to engage former UDA Party Secretary-General Cleophas Malala as the director of “Echoes of War” contravened Section 9.0 Note C of the KNDFF guidelines.
The cited section clearly states that only TSC-registered teachers or qualified lecturers from recognized post-secondary institutions are permitted to train or direct student performances.
“The Rules and Regulations of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival do not allow a non-teacher to direct a school drama item. Section 9.0 note C of the regulations states that, “Trainers of KNDFF items shall be teachers and tutors registered by the Teachers Service Commission or lecturers employed by registered post-secondary education institutions”. By allowing Mr Malala to direct the play, the school was in contravention of the regulations of Kenya National Drama and Film Festival,” read part of the statement.
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TSC regulations
CS Ogamba further cautioned school principals against bypassing TSC regulations in the management of co-curricular activities, stating that such actions compromise professionalism and may expose learners to undue influence.
He referenced Section 12 of the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics (2015), which emphasizes the duty of teachers to protect children. The section states: “Teachers are responsible for safeguarding learners, which includes ensuring that only authorized individuals interact with them in educational contexts”.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that Mr Malala shouldn’t have been allowed to direct the play, a role that should have been left to the teachers as per the rules and regulations,” Ogamba added.
“We cannot allow people to weaponise school children against authority. Let political wars be fought by politicians outside of learning environments.”
Despite the ongoing controversy, CS Ogamba reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing student talent through co-curricular programs—while emphasizing the need for strict adherence to existing guidelines.
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