The Kenya National Union of Teachers, KNUT has vehemently opposes the education devolution proposal made by the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking during Makueni branch KNUT AGM held at ACK Wote township comprehensive school, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu said education should remain a national service, and devolving upto the secondary level might cause more harm than good.
Oyuu added that education reforms should have full public participation and handled carefully before any change is made.
“Colleagues, we can’t devolve education, the position we had in 2010 should remain the same. Let me ask, if counties are struggling with ECDEs how they will handle education up to secondary level, even there is no proper quality assurance for ECDEs,” Oyuu said.
He noted that matters of education should be left to educators. Apparently he added if it must be devolved, then proper procedure should be followed including public participation.
“From there we will draw the line on what is expected to happen and what is happening in ECDEs,” Oyuu said.
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He further added that currently the country is dealing with curriculum based education (CBE) which is very expensive, hence wondered if this is the right time to talk about devolving education. The SG added that as teachers they know what it takes.
“I am fully in support with the report submitted to me by the branch union members led by executive secretary Benson Ndambuki and chairman Samuel Mulwa that devolving education is next to impossible as at now,” Oyuu said.
On employment of teachers he urged that teachers who have overstayed without employment should be considered first adding that it’s shame to get over 40 year old teacher still employed by BOM. He called for review of career progression guideline (CPG) adding that as union they have put more emphasizes on teacher promotion calling for verifiable promotion.
“I would rather be promoted than be added Ksh 2000 in my salary. Although salary increment is good, promotion is better,’ he added.
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On carnal knowledge, he warned teachers that if caught regardless of their age, they should ‘beba mzigo wao,’ adding that school children is a no go zone even if they (teachers) face interdiction it’s upon them.
He also revealed that MINET is coming to an end in terms of contract and appropriate medical cover for teacher should be unveiled.
“We saw somewhere that teachers shall be enrolled to SHA. Teachers have been contributors and supporters to universal health care (UCH) and it is better for teachers to remain in the old MINET than be enrolled to SHA,” he said.
He called for TSC to be given time to advertise and pick the best insurance cover that suits teachers adding that teachers health insurance cannot be diverted to SHA.
By Lydia Ngoolo
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