Teachers Earning Less Than Ksh10,000 Monthly Salary: A Startling Revelation

Low Teacher Salaries Uncovered.

Low Teacher Salaries Uncovered.Unveiling Low Teacher Salaries: A Startling Revelation.

Introduction:

A new report, the Usawa Agenda 2023, unveiled concerning statistics regarding teacher salaries. Shockingly, 80% of teachers employed by school Boards of Management (BoM) earn a monthly salary of less than Sh10,000. Additionally, the report highlights that two in 10 BoM teachers earn between Sh10,000 and Sh20,000 monthly. The Executive Director of Usawa Agenda, Emmanuel Manyasa, emphasized the pressing need for government intervention to address this issue. He stressed that while schools struggle to raise funds, the burden often falls on parents to ensure teachers are adequately compensated.

Financial Struggles and Funding Challenges

Manyasa urged the government to allocate funds specifically for BoM teachers, as relying solely on parents is unsustainable. He underscored that the current funding model heavily relies on parental contributions, with rural schools bearing the brunt of this burden. Shockingly, in rural areas, only a small fraction of the funding for BoM teachers comes from government sources, highlighting the dire need for financial support.

Disparities in School Facilities

Disparities in school facilities between public and private schools were also revealed in the report. Private schools generally boast better facilities compared to their public counterparts, with urban schools enjoying superior amenities over rural ones. However, despite efforts to improve infrastructure, incidents of children sitting on the floor were reported in both public and private schools, albeit at varying frequencies.

Classroom Dynamics and Educational Disparities

The report delved into class sizes, revealing consistent disparities between private and public schools. Notably, private schools maintain smaller class sizes, resulting in potentially more conducive learning environments. Furthermore, the report highlighted disparities in academic outcomes, with private school students consistently outperforming their public school counterparts in English literacy and numeracy.

Educational Challenges and Dropout Rates

The assessment also shed light on educational challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region. Alarmingly, the majority of out-of-school children hail from households led by individuals with no formal education. Economic disparities also play a significant role, with children from poor households being twice as likely to be out of school compared to their affluent peers. Additionally, lack of school fees emerged as a prominent reason for dropout rates, underscoring the urgent need for financial support mechanisms.

Kuppet’s Deadline: TSC Given 14 Days to Refund Housing Levy Deductions

The Call for Curriculum Reform

The report highlighted public sentiment regarding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). A significant percentage of parents advocated for a reduction in its cost and learning areas. Moreover, there were calls to lessen the homework burden and ensure an adequate number of teachers for its implementation. Despite mixed opinions, many parents acknowledged the benefits of the CBC, including increased parental involvement and engaging learning content.

Machogu Launches USSD Service For Verifying KUCCPS Payments Via E-Citizen

Educational Leadership and Qualifications

Regarding educational leadership, the report revealed that while a substantial proportion of head teachers hold bachelor’s degrees, these qualifications do not necessarily correlate with academic performance. This underscores the need for a comprehensive assessment of educational leadership and its impact on student outcomes.

Notice: TSC Hiring Opportunities in 2024

Conclusion

The Usawa Agenda 2023 report exposes critical issues plaguing the education sector, particularly concerning teacher salaries, disparities in facilities, and educational outcomes. Urgent government intervention is needed to address these challenges and ensure equitable access to quality education for all.Low Teacher Salaries Uncovered.