Prominent Christian private learning institution Sunshine Schools, located along Lang’ata Road opposite Wilson Airport in Nairobi, is now at the centre of allegations involving unpaid holiday tuition for teachers and claims of entrenched tribal bias in staff promotions, despite its public image as a model of academic excellence, Christian values, and holistic education. Teachers at Sunshine Schools decry unpaid holiday tuition work and tribal bias in promotions, leading to calls for a formal investigation.
The controversy stems from a holiday e-learning and mentorship programme introduced during the April break, for which each parent was reportedly charged for a two-week session under the expectation that participating teachers would be compensated for their additional time and commitment.
Concerns began to emerge when, according to accounts from within the school community, staff members allegedly did not receive any payment for the extra duties undertaken during the programme, even after repeated enquiries were directed to the coordinator responsible for its administration.
The matter appears to be resurfacing as the institution prepares to launch another session of the same programme, which reportedly commenced this week, with a similar fee per parent, prompting renewed frustration among both staff and sections of the parent body.
At the heart of the dispute is the claim that while the school is collecting substantial amounts from parents for these holiday initiatives, the funds are not translating into remuneration for the teachers who are expected to deliver the content and mentorship during periods that would ordinarily be their time off.
Compounding the issue are allegations of a deep-seated tribal imbalance in staff promotions, with accusations that advancement opportunities within the school’s ranks overwhelmingly favour individuals from a single ethnic background.
Critics within the institution suggest that such experiences have created an atmosphere of quiet discontent among qualified staff members who feel overlooked despite their contributions to the school’s academic and co-curricular success.
Some of the affected staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of professional retaliation, have expressed that the lack of transparency in both financial disbursement and promotion criteria has eroded trust in the school’s leadership, casting a shadow over what has long been regarded as one of Nairobi’s most reputable centres of learning.
They are now calling on the school’s board of governors, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the Ministry of Education to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that both financial accountability and equitable employment practices are upheld within the institution. "Hi Cyprian. I have an exposure of Sunshine Schools, Lang’ata. Unpaid holiday tuitions yet the parents are paying for the tuitions and stinking levels of tribalism. The school started what it’s calling an e-learning and mentorship program for all students over the April holidays. The parents paid 8,000 for the two weeks and it was expected that the teachers would get paid for committing their time. We asked questions through the person in charge of the programme but no answer was given. The started on Monday again, another 8,000 per parent, yet the teachers are not getting anything. Cyprian, the levels of tribalism in Sunshine Schools are alarming; all promotions are a one-tribe (Kalenjin) thing." We will continue to monitor developments surrounding this dispute and urge other affected current or former staff, as well as concerned parents, to come forward with their experiences to help shed further light on the situation.
It is paramount for stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and the wider education community, to address such grievances promptly to preserve trust, uphold professional integrity, and protect the welfare of both educators and learners.