The management of Buhobe Secondary School in Busia District has suspended its Director of Studies, Patrick Onyango, over allegations of abuse of office and mishandling Shs910,000 paid by Senior Six students seeking government university sponsorship.
Onyango is accused of collecting money from 14 Senior Six students who were seeking placement under the Public University Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB), but some of the students reportedly failed to secure university admission after their names were missing from both the national merit and district quota lists.
The decision to suspend Onyango was reached during the school’s end-of-second-term management meeting held on Tuesday at the school premises. According to the school management, Onyango has been removed from the office of Director of Studies with immediate effect and has also been barred from holding any other administrative office at the school.
He will, however, continue teaching as a class teacher. Headteacher Deo Mugeni said the alleged conduct had embarrassed the school and risked undermining the future of students.
Mugeni said the school will appoint a new Director of Studies at the beginning of the next school term. He also warned teachers against engaging in criminal acts, saying anyone found sabotaging the progress of the school would face the law.
Onyango was among two teachers arrested on August 11 following directives from Busia Resident District Commissioner Hajira Namagogwe after she received a complaint from Justine Bizibu, one of the students who had paid money for the PUJAB application.
Bizibu reportedly failed to secure admission after his name did not appear on either the national merit or district quota lists. The two teachers, Onyango and former Director of Studies Moses Wanyonyi Guyoni, were taken to Busia Central Police Station, where they recorded statements before being released on police bond. Police investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
Parents have welcomed the school’s decision to remove Onyango from the administrative position. Ismail Bwire Wesonga, a parent, said the alleged incident had undermined parents’ confidence in the school and warned that some parents were considering refusing to pay PUJAB-related fees for their children.
Caroline Chakuwa, the mother of Justine Bizibu, said the family is now struggling to support her son, who has been unable to join university despite performing well academically.
Busia RDC Hajira Namagogwe warned teachers across the district against actions that could jeopardise the future of students. Namagogwe said the district would intensify monitoring of schools to ensure that teachers and school administrators act responsibly and protect the interests of learners-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
