The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has cautioned teachers against preying on school-going children and vowed never to defend any individual who commits such offences.
The second KNUT National Women Representative, Ms Mercy Muthoni, advised teachers to stay away from students, noting that preying on them is tantamount to destroying their future.
Speaking at Gikumene Primary School in Meru town during the Meru Central KNUT branch’s Annual General Meeting, Muthoni said the union does not condone illicit relationships between teachers and students.
“Let me caution teachers against preying on students. It is destroying their future. Stay away from those young children. The union does not condone any form of inappropriate knowledge between teachers and students. We shall not defend you when you are caught. Stop looking at our girls and come to us. We are more experienced than they are,” said Muthoni amid applause from the teachers.
She called on the government to review the career progression guidelines of teachers in a bid to ensure no teacher stagnates in one grade for more than three years.
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Muthoni regretted that some teachers are stagnating in one grade for even over seven years, but assured them that there is light at the end of the tunnel, as the union is discussing promotions with the government.
She also called on the government to increase maternity leave from 120 days to 180 days. She commended it for providing lactating teachers with two-hour breaks per day for two months to facilitate breastfeeding.
The official stated that they are engaging with the government to ensure that teachers dismissed over disciplinary issues are paid their dues for the years or days they have worked.
Muthoni called on the government to let the TSC be independent and not be controlled by the executive.
“The right channels must be followed when promoting teachers. I urge TSC to ensure that it promotes those who apply and are 55 years of age and above. We want them to retire when they are happy. Regrettably, some MPs are distributing employment letters to teachers during public meetings. This is demeaning to teachers and the entire profession as a whole,” said Muthoni.
She said they are not happy with the trend because deserving teachers will not get the opportunity, as politicians will only give employment letters to their cronies.
Muthoni called on the government to realise the capitation at the right time and in the right amount, noting that the delay is forcing some principals to go back to their pockets to run the schools. She said the capitation should be realised in a timely manner at the beginning of the term.
Muthoni challenged the County governments to consider employing primary school teachers in senior positions, rather than only giving the jobs to secondary school teachers.
She called on the government to provide hardship allowances to teachers in neighbouring Laikipia and Isiolo Counties and the forests, due to the frequent elephant menace they face.
She said the teacher’s salary should be commensurate with their level of education.
Muthoni lauded the government for providing baggage allowance to teachers transferring from one sub-county to another.
By John Majau
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