A file photo of Gems Cambridge International School Nairobi. /FILE

Parents urge state to probe abuse of African pupils, staff at Gems International school

Staff and a section of parents of Gems Cambridge International School have complained against what they termed as discrimination of locals at the institution.

They asked the Ministry of Labour and Immigration department to investigate the matter and take action against the school’s administrators.

They also asked the Ministry of Education to probe claims that some students are allegedly being brutalised by the boarding master.

On Wednesday, the school issued letters to twelve local teachers instructing them that their contracts will not be renewed.

This comes three months after the Star reported on massive pay divide between local staff and their European counterparts.

The employees said the discrepancies amounted to ‘racial discrimination’ against the staff of African origin.

“We expected to be told that our contracts were not renewed for not meeting our targets. But that was not the case,” they said.

“We were handed these letters without any further explanation. But we feel it is a scheme to kick out all Africans from the school,” the staff said.

The staff, who feel they are being replaced by those of European descent, said the school got rid of them owing to their push for better treatment.

“They have opted to get rid of us because we have kept demanding for fair treatment and as per the Kenya’s labour law practices,” another added.

Gems Principal Scott Webber dismissed the allegations, terming them unfounded, and further accused the lot of using the media to validate their agenda.

“We will replace them with any competent personnel, be it local or from Europe,” he said without divulging much details for not renewing the contracts of the twelve staffs.

He also denied claims that the boarding master beat up, ridiculed and mocked some students as being “uncultured and not worth sharing a dinner table with him”.

The said teacher was also accused of entertaining his male friends in the boarding section of the school in full view of the students.

Scott said the allegations were untrue, adding that he has been keen to address all concerns raised by either teachers, students or parents satisfactorily.

“As always someone is using you and your paper to validate their agenda against the school,” he said.

Read: Gems International School accused of discriminating against African workers

Source: The Star