Kwale KUPPET branch Secretary Leonard Oronje bemoaned the acute shortage of JSS teachers in the region. He said that an overwhelming 40% JSS schools are served by just one teacher, a situation that has contributed to heavy workload amongst teachers, an issue which translates to low quality learning.
This shortage forces the sole teacher to cover all subjects; besides increasing one’s workload, it diminishes the effectiveness of the learning process. Oronje has urged the government to take immediate action to relieve the existing staff and avert an impending educational crisis. His plea came after submitting a memorandum to the Teachers Service Commission, TSC in Matuga during a strike that had entered its second day.
Another issue Oronje blasted the government over was the failed promises while citing the plights of the teachers who have been acting in some positions for 10 years now without promotion or an increase in salary. He pointed out that 60% of the county’s teachers fall in this category, which he termed both shameful and not fair.
He went further to address the concern of the challenges faced by teachers in accessing health care despite the regular deductions by the National Hospital Insurance Fund. He called for comprehensive medical cover for teachers that will ensure improvement in better health care services for their well-being.