By Kamundia Muriithi
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has made an appeal for the gradual phasing out of boarding schools to reduce the workload on tutors.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori argued that teachers in boarding schools put in longer working hours than their day school counterparts and are not remunerated for that extra effort.
Speaking during a meeting for KUPPET delegates from Upper and Lower Eastern regions in Embu town, Misori raised concern that the workload of boarding school teachers had increased considerably due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They are required to work long hours to ensure learners make up for the time lost when schools closed for two terms last year. These teachers also double up as parents as they watch over students to ensure they are safe while in school,” he said.
Misori suggested that policy makers should come up with mechanisms to ensure all learners are day scholars who go back home in the evening so that both parents and teachers make an input in the student’s lives.
KUPPET Chairman Omboko Milemba said the move by the government to have head teachers stick in school for longer hours is unfair to teachers who aren’t given an allowance for the extra time they work.
He called on the government to act fast and restore calm and safety in Laikipia County where a few schools were burned in banditry attacks.
