- He currently serves as the Siaya County KESSHA Chairperson, a position he took in 2020 to date.
- Pursuing additional qualifications and attending workshops, seminars, and training programs related to educational leadership, administration, and management is recommended.
- The school’s target mean score this year stands at 7.5 plus.
On June 8, 2023, during a brief staff briefing, the school’s principal, Mr. George Onyango, broke the good news of his promotion to the category of Chief Principal.
Before his promotion to chief principal, he has been serving as a Senior Principal at St. Mary’s Ukwala High School in Siaya County.
Mr. Onyango also served as Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Vice Organizing Secretary Ugenya Sub-County from February 2019 to January 2020.
He currently serves as the Siaya County KESSHA Chairperson, a position he took in 2020 to date.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Education and is currently enrolled at the University of Nairobi for a Ph.D. in Planning and Management.
In Kenya, the position of Chief Principal is typically associated with the education sector, specifically in secondary schools.
To become a Chief Principal, one must meet certain qualifications and follow a specific career path.
“It was not a walk in the park; it called for self-discipline, selflessness, and service to others and to the employer.
There must exist a clearer trajectory in terms of development in the school, school’s academic deviation and growth in all other areas that appertain to professionalism, leadership, and management of a school,” confirmed Mr. Onyango, Chief Principal, St. Mary’s Ukwala High School.
Requirements for appointment
To qualify for appointment to the grade of a Chief Principal, one:
- Must have served as a Senior Principal T-Scale 14 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
- Must be a holder of a Master’s Degree in a relevant area.
- Must have satisfactory ratings in the performance appraisal and performance contracting process.
- Must have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
- Must have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules.
- Must have a valid Teaching Certificate.
- Must meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
- Must meet any other requirements considered necessary by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Promotion criterion
The promotion to the position of Chief Principal is done internally, based on a competitive selection process.
Generally, you would need to have served as a principal or deputy principal in a secondary school for a considerable period.
Gaining experience and a good track record in these positions will enhance your chances of being considered for the position.
Professional development
Continuous professional development is essential.
Pursuing additional qualifications and attending workshops, seminars, and training programs related to educational leadership, administration, and management is recommended.
This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and improving your skills as an educational leader.
Registration with TSC
To work as a teacher or in an administrative position in a Kenyan school, you need to be registered with the TSC. Make sure you have the necessary registration and certification requirements fulfilled.
Leadership skills
Chief Principals are responsible for overseeing the school’s administration, management, and academic performance.
Therefore, having strong leadership and management skills, effective communication, decision-making abilities, and a clear understanding of educational policies and practices are crucial.
It is within these guidelines that Mr. Onyango was interviewed four times to get his position.
“I applied and did four interviews for this position. I had given up but resilience and patience are virtues we are suppose to embrace,” he advised the staff members.
About Ukwala High School
St. Mary’s Ukwala High School is a Catholic-sponsored institution established in 1968.
It was built on 3.5 ha land hived off from St. Mary’s Ukwala Boys Primary School.
The founder was the then primary headteacher, Mr. John Onala, who doubled as the Primary and Secondary Headteacher until 1969.
The school started as a one-streamed mixed-day Harambee secondary school. Mr. James Ngwawe became the school principal between 1969 and 1985.
In 1971, Sega Girls was established, and all the girls were transferred to Sega, and Ukwala became a boys’ day secondary school.
The school offered both the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) “O” Level and the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) “A” Level curriculum up to 1989.
The school has successfully offered the 8-4-4 curriculum from 1989 to date.
In 2006, St. Marys Ukwala High converted to a full boarding boys high school, and in 2019, it became an Extra-County School with a student population of 535 students.
Mr. Onyango has been the serving principal since 2019, transforming the school in different capacities.
A dedicated, result-oriented principal and leader, he has been keen on various sectors such as academic excellence, infrastructural development, staffing, and discipline among learners.
When Mr. Onyango took over in 2019 as the principal, he was determined to restore the school’s glory at all operational levels.
First, he sought for a disciplined school.
Most students were counseled in school, while others were sent home for parental guidance. Worst cases were handed to authorities, a move that reduced indiscipline issues significantly by 2020.
Academically, the principal, who believes in integrity, has managed to produce genuine results.
Comparatively, the school has been on the rise in its academic trajectory following the principal’s investment in the available resources to employ teachers on BoM terms.
“We have to keep moving; we have to cater for student needs in equal weight. That is why despite the fact that we still have less members of staff posted by TSC, we have gone ahead to engage other qualified teachers on BOM terms. That helps us attend to student needs to help them grow academically,” explained the chief principal.
| Year | Mean Score |
| 2019 | 4.31 |
| 2020 | 5.06 |
| 2021 | 4.52 |
| 2022 | 5.60 |
This year the class of 2022, who performed exceptionally, producing a mean of 5.6 with at least 28 students securing university entry grades, were awarded during the target launch of the 2023 Class, Conquerors.
The school’s target mean score this year stands at 7.5 plus with a slogan of Vuka C.
The chief principal, the deputy and all staff members are very keen on ensuring this realistic dream in their academic trajectory is realized.
“We will not agree to produce half-baked learners from Ukwala High School. This target we have set is realistic because we know the potential of our learners,” said the chief principal during the class target launch.
Ukwala High School has become a center of excellence with a conducive environment and facilities courtesy of the principal and stakeholders.
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He has renovated teachers’ quarters, including other noticeable infrastructure like the school’s access gates, store, car park, and students’ bathrooms with warm showers.
Indeed, success is genuine service to others and oneself. Great people are great servicemen.
Great people are servicemen. Agreeable this is a leader worth emulation