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Crisis at Isiolo Boys: What Ails a Once-Giant School?

Isiolo Boys High School, established in 1969, once excelled in academics, producing esteemed professionals and politicians, including former Governor Mohamed Kuti and Isiolo North MP Charfana Mokku. However, recent years have seen a sharp decline in enrollment, performance, and stability.

Enrollment has dropped from over 900 to less than 300 students. Academic results have also plummeted. Last year, the school had a mean score of 5.2, with only seven students scoring a C+ or higher. The previous year’s mean score was 4.75.

The current crisis revolves around Principal James Gituma’s transfer. Gituma, who served as deputy principal for seven years, was promoted to principal and significantly improved the school’s performance, raising the mean score from 3.6 to 5.4 in three years.

Local leaders, including Governor Abdi Guyo, the school board, and parents, oppose the transfer. They claim the move is politically motivated and could harm students’ futures, especially with national exams approaching. They have threatened to petition Parliament to halt the transfer.

In contrast, some alumni, local residents, and activists support the transfer. They accuse local politicians of meddling in school affairs and allege the school board has rejected four competent principals sent by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in two years. They call for a forensic audit and a restructuring of the board, arguing it operates like a private entity.

Recently, the school’s Board of Management, led by Chair Mohamed Boru, temporarily closed the principal’s office amid the standoff.

The BOM proposed Deputy Principal Wario Guyo Dabaso as acting principal while they sort out the issue and agree on a replacement. They also recommended balancing ethnic and religious representation in the school’s management.

The activist Annab Kassim points out conflicts of interest, with board members managing multiple schools. This group wants TSC to enforce the transfer and reject the board’s decision.

Meanwhile, issues such as radicalization, drug abuse, indiscipline, and political interference continue to plague the school.

Prominent alumni like former Governor Mohamed Kuti, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohammed Liban, and Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal reflect the school’s once-great legacy.

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