Murang’a ECDE teachers protest exploitative employment terms, demand PnP

The Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers in Murang’a County on Monday, February 9, staged a peaceful demonstration to protest what they described as unfair and exploitative employment terms by the county government.

The teachers who marched to the office of Governor Irungu Kang’ata, also demanded to be absorbed on permanent and pensionable terms after serving for years on short-term contracts.

They said the prolonged contractual arrangements had subjected them to job insecurity and economic hardship, despite repeated promises by successive county administrations to regularise their employment.

Speaking to the press during the protest, the tutors revealed that most of them were employed in 2016 and have remained on contract for close to a decade. They said the situation had denied them basic employment benefits enjoyed by other county workers, including job security, allowances and career progression.

One of the demonstrators, Joyce Wanjiku, said ECDE teachers earn a gross salary of Ksh17,000, which drops to about Ksh14,000 after statutory deductions.

“This salary cannot cater for our basic needs. We have families to support, rent to pay and other daily expenses. We are also not paid commuter or house allowances like other county employees,” Wanjiku said.

ALSO READ:

MKU admits Duncan Kibet following 250km trek to raise fees

She added that ECDE teachers play a crucial role in laying the foundation of education for young learners, yet their contribution continues to be undervalued.

Another teacher, Felina Kahia, accused the county administration of ignoring a court ruling that directed the employment of all 1,200 ECDE teachers in Murang’a on permanent and pensionable terms.

“It is unfortunate that the county government has chosen to ignore a court order. While the county has invested heavily in rehabilitating ECDE centres and constructing classrooms, it has forgotten the teachers who work in those facilities,” Kahia said.

Caroline Wambura, also an ECDE teacher, decried what she termed as meagre pay, noting that the situation has lowered morale among teachers across the county and negatively affected service delivery.

She further pointed out that all ECDE teachers, regardless of their academic qualifications, are placed in job group G and earn the same salary.

“Whether you hold a master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a diploma or a certificate, you are paid the same Ksh17,000. There is no recognition of academic qualifications or experience, yet we are trained professionals,” Wambura said.

The teachers urged Governor Kang’ata to honour his campaign promise of employing ECDE teachers on a permanent basis, saying such a move would improve their welfare and enhance the quality of education offered to young learners.

ALSO READ:

The scars, bravery, stupidity and pain – the stories they tell

They vowed to continue pressing for their grievances to be addressed, warning that they would not relent until their demands are met.

“We are committed to our work, but we also want dignity and fair treatment. We will keep pushing until the county government listens to us,” one of the teachers said.

The tutors, who handed their petition to an officer from the governor’s office, said they would also present a petition to the county assembly once Members of the County Assembly resume from recess.

The demonstration comes amid growing pressure on county governments to improve the welfare of ECDE teachers, who play a key role in the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

By Juma Ndigo