By Norah Musega
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu has urged the union’s branch officials to liaise with security officers in their areas to ensure that those attacking teachers are brought to book within the shortest possible time.
Oyuu’s statement comes a day after a head teacher at Arundo Primary School was attacked by a former pupil at his office in the school. Prior to the attack on the tutor, the pupil demanded for the presence of both the school head and his deputy, who reportedly was not in school at the time of the incident.
Another incident was also reported where locals of Okumbo Village stormed the school and attacked the head teacher claiming he possesses evil spirits that was causing incidences of pupils convulsing frequently at the institution. The locals related it to the incidences to those at his former school before he was transferred to Okumbo Primary School.
The SG warned locals and parents against launching attacks on teachers especially within school compound saying teachers must be allowed to carry on with their duties peacefully in the learning institutions which they are posted by their employer.
“Instead of launching attacks on teachers the parents and locals should concentrate on giving support to them to enhance impact knowledge in their children and for the growth of the society. We will not allow any form of attacks on our members and call on the government through its security agencies to enhance security in schools and for the teachers,” said KNUT boss.
KNUT Rongo branch Executive Secretary Eunice Bosco assured teachers that the matter has since been reported to Rongo Police Station and is under investigation as they work together with the police to ensure the culprit is arrested.
“As the head teacher fights for his life at Nyangena Hospital in Kisii County, I personally as the branch Executive Secretary will ensure that the child is arrested for the law to take its course,” said Bosco.
She urged parents to take up the responsibility of ensuring children are brought up with the right moral characters and values in life to avoid such incidences from re-occurring. The branch Executive Secretary also warned teachers to shun from admitting new learners to their institutions without a background check on their character and reason for the transfer from.
“I urge the community to join hands with teachers in impacting discipline in our children. Most students who transfer from one school to another are prone to cause disturbance in schools in which they have transferred to and therefore I call on my colleagues to be on the lookout of such characters,” she reiterated.
The unionists however assured teachers of safety, encouraging them not to fear as they work closely with the security agencies to ensure the attackers are brought to book according to the law.
