Teachers in Nairobi Advocate for Hardship Area Status and Allowances.
Teachers in Nairobi are urging the government to recognize the city as a hardship zone and extend allowances to educators working in the area, similar to those offered in other regions.
This request comes from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Nairobi branch, which seeks to highlight the unique challenges teachers face in the city, particularly in slum areas.
Through a memorandum submitted to 17 Nairobi MPs, led by KNUT Nairobi Executive Secretary Macharia Mugwe, the teachers advocate for Special Allowances for those serving in these high-need regions.
Challenges Faced by Teachers in Nairobi
The teachers, in their memorandum, cited numerous difficulties encountered daily, including heavy traffic congestion, political instability, rampant drug abuse, and overcrowded slum settlements.
They reported a significant mental health toll, with many teachers being diagnosed with stress and depression due to the demanding environment.
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Teachers expressed concerns over the struggle to manage both their professional and personal lives amidst these challenges.
They highlighted the existence of Nairobi’s largest slums, including Kibera, Mathare, Babadogo, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Mukuru Kayaba, and Kawangware, where many teachers live and work. According to the memorandum, these areas are home to public schools that teachers attend every day.
Request for Government Action
Teachers are calling on the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and National Security to push for a review of hardship zones, arguing that Nairobi meets the criteria for such a designation.
Factors like limited access to food, water, transportation, and communication services, as well as harsh climatic conditions and high poverty levels, make the city an appropriate candidate for hardship allowances.
In their petition, the teachers emphasized the high cost of living in Nairobi, where prices for food and utilities have soared. Teachers, they claim, often spend over a quarter of their salaries just to buy food.
Additionally, they pointed out that many teachers are unable to grow their own food due to a lack of space. The union also noted that water costs in the city are exorbitant, with many teachers having to purchase water from vendors at inflated prices.
A survey conducted by the union revealed that 75% of teachers find water expensive, and more than 80% reported waking up early or staying up late to fetch water due to rationing.
Inaccessibility and Transportation Issues
The union also drew attention to the difficulty some teachers face due to the inaccessibility of certain schools.
“In some schools like Chereta primary school, Manyatta primary school, Mutuini primary and Athi primary school, teachers are forced to walk for a long distance to reach the schools.”
The union argued that the transportation fares in Nairobi are disproportionately high compared to other areas outside the city, where teachers receive hardship allowances for similar challenges.
“Short distances in the city are more expensive in fares compared to distances in other areas out of Nairobi where teachers are earning hardship allowances,” the union argued in the document.”
Another challenge raised by the teachers is the high student enrollment in Nairobi’s schools, a consequence of the free education policy and the influx of families from other regions.
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Some schools are reportedly handling over 120 students per class, putting additional strain on teachers.
With such large class sizes, effective teaching and classroom management become increasingly difficult, further complicating the work environment for educators.
The teachers are urging the government to recognize the reality of their working conditions and provide the necessary support to improve their welfare in the face of these ongoing challenges.
Teachers in Nairobi Advocate for Hardship Area Status and Allowances.
