Principals and Headteachers of secondary schools will attend a five day Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) conference next week.
The meeting is scheduled to start on 18th to 22nd April 2022. Initially the conference was scheduled to start on 4th till 8th April 2022 but was stopped by the teacher employer.
According to a letter addressed to the Kessha chairman, Kahi Indimuli, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) sited the national exam marking exercise which will involve the school heads.
The Commission also sited the KCSE exams which were ongoing and were to end on 4th April, the same day the conference was to start.
“During the marking exercise, Knec will engage approximately thirty thousand teachers, many of who are Principals who are also expected to attend the conference.
Most of the Chief Examiners, Deputy Chief Examiners, Examiners in charge and Team Leaders are school Principals,” said TSC Director of Staffing, Rita Wahome.
She said the participation of the Principals in the conference will adversely affect the administration and marking of the 2021 KCSE examinations and requested the Kessha to reschedule the conference to another date to allow smooth marking exercise.
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association is a professional organization comprising of about 7,000 members drawn from public and private Secondary Schools in the republic of Kenya.
It was established in the late sixties with the sole purpose of providing professional advice to its members spread in all the 47 counties in Kenya.
KESSHA, National Executive Council is elected at the KESSHA Annual National Conference by delegates from the 47 counties in a democratic and transparent exercise presided over by the hosting County Director of Education.
To further KESSHA aims and objectives, KESSHA has set up branches in the 47 counties namely:
| 1.Mombasa | 11.Isiolo | 21.Murang’a | 31.Laikipia | 41.Siaya |
| 2.Kwale | 12.Meru | 22.Kiambu | 32.Nakuru | 42.Kisumu |
| 3.Kilifi | 13.Tharaka-Nithi | 23.Turkana | 33.Narok | 43.Homa Bay |
| 4.Tana River | 14.Embu | 24.West Pokot | 34.Kajiado | 44.Migori |
| 5.Lamu | 15.Kitui | 25.Samburu | 35.Kericho | 45.Kisii |
| 6.Taita-Taveta | 16.Machakos | 26.Trans Nzoia | 36.Bomet | 46.Nyamira |
| 7.Garissa | 17.Makueni | 27.Uasin Gishu | 37.Kakamega | 47.Nairobi |
| 8.Wajir | 18.Nyandarua | 28.Elgeyo-Marakwet | 38.Vihiga | |
| 9.Mandera | 19.Nyeri | 29.Nandi | 39.Bungoma | |
| 10.Marsabit | 20.Kirinyaga | 30.Baringo | 40.Busia |
Objectives of KESSHA
Promote the rights and responsibilities of Principals, their professional organizations and the material and ethical interests of the education profession.
Promote the exchange of people and professional publications among the constituent groups, and encourage participation in meetings and conferences across national boundaries.
Foster school curricula, which encourage international understanding, goodwill, respect for human rights and dignity across all races and cultures.
Promote and encourage equal opportunities for all young persons to develop to their fullest potential in achieving a respectable and productive quality of life.
Assist members to give effective and well directed service to their own schools and communities.
Establish sound, co-operative liaison with the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), including other professional bodies within and without the country, as well as with employers interested in recruiting the services of the students leaving schools.
Formulate and publicize agreed policies concerning administrative and educational problems with which heads of schools may from time to time be concern.
Organize regular exchange of opinion and experience on all matters concerning the teaching profession, nationally and internationally.
Enable members to assist one another in their dealings with the stakeholders.
Participate in making education policies in liaison with the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission.