Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has called on teachers to embrace social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram as tools for informal student engagement, digital learning, and pastoral care.
Speaking during the Kenya Women Teachers’ Association (KEWOTA) anniversary event, Muthoni said educators must adapt to the digital realities shaping student behavior and learning habits.
“The world is fully digital now, and our students are already there. Teachers have no reason to be left behind,” she said, urging educators to use social platforms not only to teach but also to monitor and guide learners outside formal school hours.
Muthoni emphasized that platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer valuable insights into students’ interests, creativity, and social dynamics. “How can a teacher correct a student if she doesn’t know the kind of dancing a learner is putting on TikTok?” she posed, highlighting the need for digital awareness and digital fluency among teachers, especially when dealing with teenagers.
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She encouraged teachers to use these platforms during long holidays and school breaks to maintain learning continuity and build stronger connections with students. “Even learners will be excited to see their teachers online. It’s a chance to teach, mentor, and stay visible,” she added.
She further urged educators to embrace e-learning tools and digital platforms not only for academic instruction but also for mentorship, guidance, and monitoring student behavior beyond the classroom environment, especially during extended school breaks.
Muthoni concluded by emphasizing that digital engagement is no longer optional for educators, but a necessary part of modern teaching. She said students thrive when teachers meet them where they are online.
By Masaki Enock
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