WHY ARE TSC-EMPLOYED TEACHERS GETTING DEPRESSED DESPITE RECEIVING FULL SALARIES AND TAX RELIEF?

WHY ARE TSC-EMPLOYED TEACHERS GETTING DEPRESSED DESPITE RECEIVING FULL SALARIES AND TAX RELIEF?

The number of TSC-employed tutors seeking mental health services has risen since April 2020. This is after teachers were given an unprecedented long holiday following the sudden closure of schools in mid-March.

Data released by the teachers’ health care provider, AON insurance, 400 teachers sought psychological care in the month of April alone.

The report now qualifies Kenyan tutors as one of the fragile groups struggling to handle depression-related issues.

According to the report, 400 TSC teachers either called or dropped by various AON affiliated facilities across Kenya between April and May 2020 to seek psychological support.

Bungoma County took the lead with 28 teachers complaining of stress between April and May. In the second position came Nairobi County with 24 teachers, Bomet (23), and Machakos (20).

STRESS AND ANXIETY

The majority of the teachers were male with a higher percentage of 54, females (29%), and anonymous (17%).

The teacher’s main concerns border on stress and anxiety.

This comes even as reports also indicated that the number of teachers seeking medical attention had tripled during the first quarter of the year 2020.

Teachers have also contacted the medical service provider seeking for cancer and heart treatment overseas.

The question lingering in many people’s minds right now is what could be the cause. Teachers employed by the Commission are receiving their full salaries, unlike other employees who have been laid off.

Besides, the President gave teachers a tax relief of up to 5 percent. If TSC teachers are suffering from stress and anxiety, what about their counterparts in private schools and those employed by school boards of management who have gone without pay for over three months now? JUST WONDERING