Being a school principal in Kenya is one of the most difficult jobs in the education system today. These are people trusted with huge responsibilities, yet they are rarely given the support they need.
A principal is expected to lead a school, take care of hundreds or even thousands of students, manage teachers and support staff, and ensure everything is running smoothly. But the truth is, many are operating with very little. They are expected to perform miracles in environments where basic needs are missing. This has left many feeling like they have been set up to fail.
School students during a class session. Photo/file
The situation in many Kenyan schools is worrying. Some schools do not have enough classrooms to fit all the learners. Others are lacking desks, textbooks, and sometimes even toilets. Despite all these challenges, the principal is still expected to ensure students learn and succeed.
When the school does not perform well in national exams, it is the principal who is blamed. People rarely stop to think about how a school without proper resources is supposed to produce top results.
Most principals are also poorly prepared for the tough job ahead of them. Many are promoted from regular teaching positions with little or no training on how to manage a school. Suddenly they are expected to handle budgets, discipline cases, teacher management, parent complaints, and community expectations.
The system assumes that once someone becomes a principal, they will automatically know how to do everything, but that is far from the truth. Meanwhile, pressure comes from all directions. Parents want good results. Education officers demand reports. Politicians interfere or make promises they cannot fulfill. Yet, very few are actually helping principals with what they need most support.
In some sad cases, principals are forced to use their own money to fix school problems. They buy chalk, repair broken furniture, or even help needy students. If they raise their voices and complain, they risk being transferred unfairly or facing threats.
This kind of environment creates stress and fear, especially when they are trying to do their best. Most of them end up working long hours, including weekends and holidays, just to keep things going.
This is not fair. Principals are not superhuman. They want the best for their students, but they cannot succeed without help. The government must recognize their efforts and struggles.
Society also needs to stop putting pressure without understanding the reality on the ground. It is time to stop expecting so much from them without giving anything back.
Being a school principal should be a respected and supported role. It should come with the tools and training needed to do the job well. If we want to improve our education system, we must begin by supporting those who lead it. When principals are taken care of, they can focus on helping students achieve their best. Without that support, we are simply asking too much and giving too little.
