Teachers in Makueni County have raised the alarm over what they describe as unfair and excessive workloads in boarding schools, where they are compelled to perform supervisory duties well beyond official working hours.
According to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Makueni County Branch, many teachers have been forced to supervise evening preps, dormitory routines, and weekend activities duties that extend into late hours and often go unpaid.
In a strongly worded letter to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) County Director, the union said these practices violate both labor rights and TSC’s code of conduct, which define teachers’ official duties and working hours.
The letter, signed by Branch Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu and stamped with the official KUPPET Makueni seal, calls for immediate action to protect teachers from exploitation.
“The official working hours for teachers, as set by the Ministry of Education, run from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM for lessons, followed by co-curricular sessions up to 4:45 PM,” Kimeu noted.
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He added: “Anything beyond that time, especially in the evenings and on weekends, constitutes extra work that must either be compensated or handled by designated boarding staff.”
KUPPET argues that supervision of boarding routines should primarily be the responsibility of housemasters, matrons, and other support staff, not classroom teachers who already have heavy instructional loads.
The union is now urging the TSC to issue clear directives to school heads to adhere strictly to the official working schedule and respect the professional boundaries set for teachers.
In addition, the union wants the boarding staff to be reinforced and teachers on duty to be given fair and reasonable schedules that allow them time to rest and attend to their personal lives.
“This is not just a compliance issue, it’s about the welfare, dignity, and mental well-being of teachers who dedicate their lives to shaping the future generation,” Kimeu said.
The union’s firm stance has been hailed by educators across Makueni as a bold step toward restoring fairness and balance in the teaching profession.
The unionist maintained that KUPPET maintained that respecting teachers’ time and labor is not only a matter of policy but of justice, one that will ultimately enhance motivation, productivity, and the quality of education in Kenya.
By Our Reporter
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