The Isiolo Girls High School Board faces backlash over a teachers’ Mombasa trip funded by profits from invested harambee money. Adan Galma, the school’s Parents Association chair and a Board of Management member, explained in a recent statement that the board raised KSh 10 million through a community fundraiser. They invested the funds in treasury bills, earning a profit of KSh 900,000. That profit paid for a trip to Mombasa to appreciate the teachers.
Galma shared this on social media and in interviews, calling it a way to motivate staff. The school, located in Isiolo County, serves girls from the region and beyond. Like many public schools in Kenya, it relies on harambee events for extra funds since government capitation often falls short for extras.
Treasury bills, seen as safe, gave a return without high risk. The board used the earnings solely for the teachers’ welfare trip, not school infrastructure or student needs.
The story broke wider when Citizen TV and others picked it up. Online, reactions split fast. Some praised the board for valuing teachers. Good staff morale can improve teaching, they said. Others saw it differently. Critics called it poor judgement in a county where many schools struggle.
Isiolo, in northern Kenya, deals with drought, low enrolment in some areas, and limited resources. People pointed out that KSh 900,000 could buy textbooks, desks, or help needy students instead of a coastal getaway.
Social media posts questioned priorities. One common view: schools in Northeastern Kenya often get neglected compared to others. Why spend on luxury when basics lag? Some linked it to broader complaints about mismanagement in education.
Others asked if the board followed proper rules for using harambee funds. Treasury investments are legal for school boards, but transparency matters.
The trip itself drew the most heat. Teachers went to Mombasa for rest and team building. Supporters say burnout is real in teaching, especially in hardship areas like Isiolo.
A short break can help performance. Critics counter that public funds, even from profits, should go straight to students. Why reward staff when learners face challenges? Enrolment dips, and teacher shortages hit some schools hard in the region.
Isiolo Girls is a respected institution. It performs well in national exams and serves as a key option for girls’ education locally. The board’s move aimed to keep quality teachers from leaving for better-paying jobs elsewhere. Yet the timing feels off to many. With ongoing talks about fee arrears and underfunded facilities nationwide, this story fuels frustration.
School boards have some freedom in managing extra funds, but public scrutiny grows when choices seem uneven. Galma defended the decision as fair appreciation. He said teachers deserve recognition for their hard work in tough conditions.
The debate touches on bigger issues. How should schools balance staff welfare and student needs? In counties like Isiolo, where poverty and climate challenges hit families, every shilling counts. Community fundraisers build schools, but how the money gets used sparks strong feelings.
For now, the conversation continues online and in local groups. Some call for clearer guidelines on school investments and perks. Others hope it leads to better support for teachers without shortchanging students. The KSh 900,000 profit shows smart management to some; to others, it’s a missed chance to help more directly.
