By John Majau
Teachers from Igambang’ombe constituency in Tharaka-Nithi County have attributed the deteriorating academic performance in the area to lack of hardship allowances, motivation and under staffing in schools
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Tharaka-Nithi branch Executive Secretary Njeru Mutani said many teachers working in remote areas with hostile climate coupled with lack of some basic necessities always feel demoralised and cannot deliver as per the expectations leading to poor academic performance.
Mutani said matters were made worse by teachers not willing to be posted in such schools.
He said teachers who are deployed in the semi-arid sub-county seek transfer to the neighboring Tharaka constituency which has hardship allowance.
The official said some primary schools have three teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) forcing parents to recruit incompetent ones.
Mutani also said most of the schools do not have facilities such as laboratory and libraries which is a big disadvantage to learners.
