Teachers’ Plight: Mental Health, Financial Struggles, and Systemic Issues Dominate KNUT AGM.
The Taita Taveta Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently held at Sino Girls’ in Mwatate Sub-County addressed critical issues facing educators in the region.
Key topics included the growing mental health crisis, financial strain, delays in teacher promotions, inadequate hardship allowances, poor medical insurance, and drug and substance abuse.
The event brought to light significant challenges that teachers face, with leaders calling for systemic changes and better support mechanisms.
Rising Mental Health Challenges and Substance Abuse Among Teachers
The KNUT Executive Secretary for Taita Taveta, Lenox Mshila, spoke at the AGM, emphasizing the escalating mental health crisis among teachers, exacerbated by financial difficulties and substance abuse.
He described the situation as dire, with teachers overwhelmed by financial burdens, leading to mental health struggles, drug use, and, in extreme cases, death.
According to Mshila, the toll on teachers’ well-being has become evident through increased cases of absenteeism, unexplained illnesses, and even fatalities.
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He highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support systems for teachers to address these challenges.
Mshila urged educators to adopt a proactive approach, advising them to be “brothers’ keepers” and seek internal solutions to support each other in times of crisis.
He encouraged active participation in welfare programs rather than merely criticizing from the sidelines, as these initiatives could provide much-needed assistance to educators in distress.
Challenges in Welfare Programs and Teacher Support
While advocating for teacher welfare, Mshila also cautioned the welfare leadership to fulfill their intended roles genuinely. He stressed that welfare programs should not be used as political platforms but should focus on their primary purpose—supporting teachers in need.
If welfare schemes deviate from their objectives, Mshila warned, they could face the risk of being dissolved, as they exist to aid educators, not to engage in power struggles.
A notable issue raised during the AGM was the plight of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers.
Mshila called for their full integration into the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), ensuring equal access to promotion opportunities and benefits, similar to their counterparts in primary and secondary schools.
He argued that ECDE teachers in public schools deserve the same treatment, adding that this demand had already been voiced in other AGMs nationwide.
Alarming Statistics and Calls for Personal Transformation
The AGM also featured Laura Mwaila, an anti-drug campaigner and researcher who has counseled over 3,500 students in Taita Taveta County.
She shared concerning statistics, revealing that approximately 40% of teachers in the region suffer from mental health issues.
Mwaila noted that teachers’ problems extend beyond the classroom, with some educators even involved in student substance abuse cases. She emphasized the need for teachers to be positive role models, as students often emulate their behavior.
Mwaila called for a personal commitment to change among educators, suggesting that without individual efforts to address personal challenges, the cycle of substance abuse and mental health issues would persist.
She highlighted the cases of teachers who, despite undergoing rehabilitation, relapse into old habits, illustrating the difficulty of achieving lasting change without genuine commitment.
The Role of Unity and Financial Planning for Teachers
KNUT’s Assistant Secretary General, Rosalia Mkanjala, emphasized the importance of unity among teachers, citing the 1997 strike as a testament to the strength of solidarity. She encouraged teachers to join the mainstream union, KNUT, rather than smaller, less influential unions.
Mkanjala also advised educators to plan for their future by investing in savings and credit cooperative societies (saccos), which could provide financial security in retirement.
She pointed out that it often takes considerable time for retired teachers to receive their retirement benefits, making alternative financial plans essential.
Diplomatic Strategies in Union Advocacy
Assistant National Treasurer Kullow Sheikh Mohammed highlighted KNUT’s diplomatic approach to union advocacy, which focuses on negotiation over confrontational activism.
He noted the union’s success in converting 46,000 intern teachers to permanent positions, a significant win for job stability among educators.
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However, he acknowledged that more needs to be done, particularly in recruiting additional teachers to meet the demands of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He explained that while the current recruitment efforts are underway, they fall short of the required numbers, especially with the upcoming introduction of grade 9 in the CBC system.
Revising Agreements and Addressing Unfair Deductions
Kullow also raised concerns about the KNUT-TSC recognition agreement, which had been undermined during past disputes.
He revealed that the union is actively working with the TSC to renew the agreement, ensuring timely disbursement of pensions and benefits to retired teachers.
Additionally, he highlighted the issue of unauthorized deductions from teachers’ pay slips for unions they had not joined. This practice, he said, needed to be addressed collectively to safeguard teachers’ rights and financial well-being.
Advocacy for Fair Treatment and Policy Changes
Taita Taveta Senator Jones Mwaruma, who attended the AGM, supported the call for fair treatment of teachers, expressing shock at the resumption of deductions by the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) despite a directive to stop them. Mwaruma pledged to pursue the matter in the Senate, demanding an explanation from TSC Secretary Nancy Macharia regarding the continuation of these deductions. He stated that while the initial step to halt the deductions had been implemented, the union was working on securing refunds for affected teachers.
Conclusion
The Taita Taveta KNUT AGM brought critical teacher welfare issues to the forefront, with calls for comprehensive mental health support, fair promotions, adequate allowances, and better financial planning.
The union leaders emphasized the need for unity, systemic reforms, and strategic negotiations to improve teachers’ working conditions and overall well-being.
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The AGM underscored that only through collective action, proactive planning, and genuine leadership can the challenges facing teachers be addressed effectively.
Teachers’ Plight: Mental Health, Financial Struggles Dominate KNUT AGM.
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