KNUT Seeks Hardship Allowance Review.
KNUT Seeks Hardship Allowance Review.Campaigning for Change: KNUT Pushes for Hardship Allowance Review.
Introduction
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is on a mission to secure better support for teachers working in tough environments. They are calling on the national government to boost hardship allowances for teachers grappling with the challenges of their duty in demanding regions.
Addressing Teachers’ Struggles
Teachers stationed in areas plagued by banditry face severe hardships and safety risks. Recent tragic incidents in Baringo and Samburu counties, where teachers fell victim to bandit attacks, serve as stark reminders of the dangers they face daily.
Urgent Plea for Action
Joseph Malel Langa’t, KNUT’s national vice chairperson, stresses the urgency of the matter. He urges the government to prioritize the social and economic welfare of teachers in these challenging regions. Langa’t advocates for increased deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) to safeguard both educators and students.
Infrastructure Concerns
KNUT also highlights the dire state of infrastructure in many schools. The lack of proper facilities like staff quarters, staff rooms, electricity, and water compromises the learning environment, pushing both teachers and students to make do with makeshift setups in trading centers.
Rejecting Unfavorable Legislation
The union vehemently opposes the TSC Amendment Bill 2024, deeming it unfair and neglectful of teachers’ interests. KNUT calls for the inclusion of newly employed teachers in schemes designed for permanent and pensionable staff to enhance their welfare.
Teacher Shortage Woes
Martin Sembelo, KNUT Secretary General in West Pokot, sheds light on the severe shortage of teachers in marginalized areas. He calls for bolstered security measures in schools, especially in regions like Masol and Tikiti, where extreme weather conditions adversely affect teacher performance.
Concerns for Education Accessibility
Sembelo criticizes the government’s decision to suspend the Edu Afya medical cover for learners, warning of its detrimental effects on vulnerable students from impoverished backgrounds, many of whom have already dropped out due to economic hardships.
Pushback Against Data Requests
Sammy Borr, a KNUT National Executive Council member representing Rift Valley, questions the parliamentary Education Committee’s summons for teacher data, arguing that such information should be handled by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Category Of TSC Promoted Teachers That Will Be Posted Outside Their Sub county .
Conclusion
KNUT’s relentless advocacy for a review of hardship allowances underscores the pressing need to alleviate the challenges faced by teachers working in difficult conditions.
