CAPTION: Makini Schools What is cooking at Makini Schools?
From a recent submission forwarded to us by a worried parent, all does not seem well at the once nationally recognized and highly opulent private learning institution.
There is a prevailing feeling on the ground that since the school's change in ownership back in 2018, the quality of working, living and studying environments has terribly deteriorated thanks to shockingly incompetent management that seems to care less for results and more about quick profits.
Speaking to nyakundireport.com via electronic mail on Sunday, 22nd May 2022, an insider privy to the matter accused the new South African owners under the firm ADvTECH Group of appointing an unqualified foreign Human Resource (HR) Manager reported to be totally oblivious of the Kenyan constitution which continues to blatantly mutilate at the expense of suffering workers and teachers.
Immediately after the takeover, the new administration is said to have embarked on a sacking spree that saw cleaners, guards and catering staff who selflessly served the school for many years rudely dismissed without warning.
Concerns have also been raised over increasing discrimination targeting students advancing local education systems (8-4-4 and CBC) which management deems less lucrative compared to the Cambridge curriculum. "Hi, Nyakundi, I write this email regarding disturbing news and information I have gathered from my children, some staff and fellow parents at Makini School. I am still compiling the full reports but below is a summary. The South African Owners and Management - ADvTECH - have been on a serious mass retrenchment exercise since last year. They have gotten rid of security, cleaners, catering and now they are now targeting the transport department. They have retrenched teachers, especially in the High School and Upper School sections. They can't give valid reasons as to why they are doing this despite the fact that they promised to retain all staff and improve their welfare when the school changed management in 2018. This is pure social-economic sabotage in our country! The teachers are no longer having meals with our children. They have to go out to look for food or pay for it. It is a bit unAfrican, awkward and very worrying when our children are having food while the teachers just watch. The teachers are being overworked and have no proper rest time. This is forced labour by foreigners in our country. There is a lot of intimidation and threats on the staff and you can raise any complaints lest you are reprimanded. The quality of food and transport services has been compromised. It is clear and obvious that the local system of 8-4-4 and CBC is no longer a priority for the ADvTECH Management. The Cambridge system is given all the attention. It pushed out the High School from its location and now the high school is being phased out. We are told the Management is obsessed with profits and numbers and thus the focus on Cambridge since the fees charged is slightly higher. This is open bias and discrimination. The staff are being retrenched on the basis of being unqualified, untrained and unprofessional. BUT ALAS, this exercise is being carried out by the Human Resource Director from South Africa who is not even a qualified, trained or professional in HR and more so, registered with a valid Practicing Certificate/Licence as per the provision of our laws to practice HR in Kenya. This is illegal, immoral, and unethical. She must be dealt with accordingly as per the law. She has terminated teachers without TSC numbers, the same should be done to her for fairness and justice. The Kenyan relevant agencies must also take the necessary action according to the provision of the IHRM Act of Kenya on HR Practice and professionals in Kenya. Just how was she cleared by Immigration and granted a work permit without the necessary skills and qualifications! We are told she is very ignorant about the Kenyan Constitution, Labour Laws and the Employment act. In short, the school is being run under the South African practices, and laws and in total disregard, disrespect and ignorance of the Constitution, Basic Education Act, Kenya Culture and practices and more so eroding away the good culture, values and traditions of Makini School that has been the best private school in Kenya. Action and intervention measures need to be taken the soonest since South African owned companies rarely survive in Kenya. Makini might just follow the same path! Will share a more comprehensive report in due course," the source frustratedly writes.
Makini Schools currently has four campuses: the Ngong Road (mother) campus and the Makini Junior Academy on State House Avenue in Nairobi; Makini Junior School Migosi and Makini School Kibos in Kisumu.
On its 40th anniversary in 2018, the school changed ownership from the Okelo’s to the ADvTECH Group.