By Michael Oduor
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Taita Taveta County Executive Secretary Mr. Lenox Mshila now urges teachers across the County who were members of the union to reconsider their decision and join KNUT.
Speaking to Education News, Mshila noted the unity of purpose within the union and proper organization in activities as main components that made them push for team change in management which he said is now evident in the new leadership.
“I am urging all the teachers who left the union in this great Taita Taveta County to reconsider their decision and join Knut in the view of our unity of purpose witnessed in all the years.
We are known for proper organization in all our endeavors hence the reason why we were part of the fight to push for Team change which we believe has begun delivering,” he said.
Mshila is however requesting the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to pay hardship allowance to teachers in the county.
“It’s high time TSC should pay hardship allowance to all of Taita Taveta County teachers as recently published in their report,” said Mshila.
According to Mshila, all KNUT members should be treated equally stating that, despite the Public Service Commission visiting the county and recommending on various issues, things have remained the same while some areas like Taita, Ronge and Taveta are discriminated.
Human wildlife conflicts, poor learning infrastructures, lack of foodstuff to majority of students due to drought and reduced sources of income as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic that saw families losing jobs were among the challenges facing learning institutions in some parts of the county which he said if properly addressed, learning activities will run smoothly.
Further, Mshila urged political leaders to up their game by fully supporting the education programmes in every part of the County so as to boost development of the sector in the region.
However, he has called upon all the member teachers to ensure true solidarity when it comes to August 2022 elections to ensure they get good leadership that will address the challenges facing the education in the County.
“I remind our members that 2022 is the year of national elections. For us to be in a position to ensure good leadership is in place, we must enhance our true Solidarity lest we shall remain lamenting,” he said.
