BoM Teachers Face Unpaid Salaries as Schools Struggle to Operate.
Public schools reopened several weeks ago for the first term of the new academic year, but the excitement of learning has been marred by operational struggles. Many schools are grappling with severe shortages of essential supplies, including food, sanitation facilities, and learning materials.
Amid these challenges, Board of Management (BoM) teachers and subordinate staff are bearing the brunt of delayed funding. In some schools, BoM teachers have gone on go-slows, citing months of unpaid salaries dating back to late last year. These delays have made it increasingly difficult for schools to operate effectively.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba reported that Sh19 billion out of the pledged Sh48 billion for free day secondary school education had been released by the Treasury. This represents 50 percent of the capitation required for the academic year, with the remaining funds expected in two weeks.
Despite these assurances, head teachers have denied receiving any funds. Without financial support, they face mounting pressure from suppliers and unpaid staff, making it nearly impossible to sustain school operations. Some head teachers have even avoided their offices to escape the demands of unpaid suppliers.
Impact on BoM Teachers and Staff
The delayed salaries have forced BoM teachers and subordinate staff into difficult circumstances. Many staff members are on go-slows, which disrupts learning and affects the overall functioning of schools.
A BoM teacher shared that financial hardships have worsened, with some teachers struggling to meet basic needs. Subordinate staff have similarly voiced frustrations, highlighting that their families are suffering due to the delayed payments.
Many schools have been forced to send learners home as they can no longer manage daily operations. Basic utilities such as water and electricity have been disconnected in several institutions due to unpaid bills, leaving schools in a dire state.
The absence of essential resources, including textbooks and chalk, has further compounded the crisis, making teaching and learning an uphill task.
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Stakeholders have urged the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the National Treasury and secure support from the presidency to ensure timely disbursement of funds. The current situation threatens to derail the academic calendar, leaving learners and staff at a disadvantage.
One head teacher emphasized that running schools without funds is unsustainable and called for immediate intervention. A BoM teacher added that delays in salary payments are eroding their commitment to teaching, urging the government to prioritize their plight.
If timely funding is not ensured, the challenges facing BoM teachers and public schools are likely to escalate, further jeopardizing the education sector.
BoM Teachers Face Unpaid Salaries as Schools Struggle to Operate
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