KUPPET SUPPORTS NYUMBA KUMI TEACHING, URGES TSC TO REWARD TEACHERS WHO TAKE PART IN THE NOBLE COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMME; LATEST TSC NEWS

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, KUPPET has hailed government efforts to reach out to the disadvantaged learners who do not have access to digital learning.

The union further urged the Teachers Service Commission, TSC to find a way of rewarding teachers who will be actively involved in the Nyumba Kumi community-based learning program set to be rolled out in September by the education ministry.

“KUPPET fully supports the government’s plan to roll out community-based learning in conjunction with the Nyumba Kumi initiative. We urge our members to come up with creative ideas to engage learners in their respective localities, estates, and villages.  We will also work with the Teachers Service Commission to devise a point-based system for recognizing teachers who will participate in this noble program,” said KUPPET.

Teachers have also been reminded to bear in mind the social needs of learning during these perilous times.

“Away from curriculum subjects, teachers must bear in mind the social needs of learners in these perilous times and provide a  broad-based approach program encompassing mentorship, guidance and counseling, hygiene andCOVID-19 awareness, life skills, values, and community service,” added KUPPET.

So where does KUPPET’s proposal leave the teachers?

For those tutors who are planning to dodge the program, there will be dire consequences since TSC has got multiple ways of killing a rat.

Previously, the Commission has found ways of rewarding teachers. For instance, relief teachers who came in handy when the education sector was almost brought to its knees by incessant industrial strikes by the then TSC employed teachers were given more marks during TSC recruitment interviews.

This gave them an upper hand as opposed to their fellow interviewees who failed to take part in the exercise.

KUPPET THANKS THE GOVERNMENT FOR RELEASING FUNDS FOR BOM TEACHERS’ SALARIES AND SUBORDINATE STAFF

Through a press statement, the union has also expressed a lot of gratitude towards the government for finally hearkening the cries of BOM teachers.

“KUPPET commends the government for providing salaries to teachers employed by boards of management in public schools and other workers. We thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and the CS for Education Professor George Magoha for hearing the cries of the workers,” wrote KUPPET in part.

It also reiterated the indispensable nature of BOM staff since schools cannot effectively run without them.

“BOM staff is indispensable to the normal functioning of public school,” added KUPPET.

This is after CS Magoha announced that all the 72, 000 teachers employed by the BOM in public schools will receive stipends as from next week.

KUPPET has been pushing for the payment of BOM teachers’ salaries for the past four months. The union is happy that the government has acted in direct response to their pleas.

“The government’s action is in direct response to appeals by KUPPET. Since the very start of the covid-19 outbreak, the union has been at the forefront calling for a package to cushion the most vulnerable Kenyans economically.as a member of the National Education Response Committee, we strongly pushed for the payment of BOM teachers. The union also lobbied parliament to provide the funds,” said the union.

FREE EDUCATION FUNDS

The union further requested the government to release full capitation funds for schools to enable them to develop sufficient infrastructure aimed at ensuring social distancing ahead of schools reopening in January 2021.

“In addition to cushioning teachers, security staff, and other employees, the funds will enable schools to continue meeting their obligations for utilities including electricity, water, telephone, garbage collection, and other necessities. We further urge the government to release full capitation funds for schools to enable them to develop the infrastructure necessary for complying with Covid-19 protocols by January 2021,” said KUPPET.