By Norah Musega
A group of aspirants in the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) elections has accused the current leadership of ignoring the plight of members in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They claim the leadership had been silent even as infections are reported in schools, with at least 33 teachers and 17 students testing positive and one principal succumbing to the disease.
Saying teachers were not safe in school, the aspirants want KUPPET national officials, led by Secretary-General Akello Misori, to convince the Ministry of Education to close schools until the safety of their members is guaranteed.
“The ministry has insisted on keeping the learning institutions open even as the pandemic continues to bite. We are risking our lives and that of our families,” said Ken Boro, who is vying for the position of the executive secretary Migori chapter.
Boro said aging teachers and those with pre-existing conditions were particularly exposed.
The aspirants threatened to call on teachers to boycott classes if the union officials fail to highlight the dangers members are facing.
“There are no adequate safety measures in our schools. The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission should stop gambling with the lives of teachers and learners,” added Boro.
An aspirant for the position of assistant executive secretary Kenus Nyadimo said the number of teachers suffering from depression had sharply risen since schools were closed in March.
“It’s a pity that we continue to lose good brains responsible for imparting knowledge to our children to depression. I urge the ministry and TSC to employ counselors to give emotional support to teachers,” said Nyadimo.
Migori County Parents Association chair Peter Odondi also called on the government to consider closing schools if the Covid-19 curve continues to rise.
“I call on the Education CS and the President to consider the safety of our children first,” he said.
Prof Magoha recently told the press that the students were safer in school than at home.
Form Four, Standard Eight and Grade Four learners resumed classes on October 12 in preparation for national examinations in April next year.
Infections have been reported in a number of schools. Tononoka Secondary and Star of the Sea schools, both in Mombasa, were closed down due to an outbreak of the disease.
Tononoka Principal Mohammed Khamis later died, reportedly from Covid-19 complications.
