A section of aspirants for various positions in the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have castigated human rights crusaders for not condemning the increased attack of teachers by their students.
The teachers who were speaking in a church at Kenol town of Murang’a on Sunday claimed that the human rights’ organizations have not said anything about the assaults meted out on teachers by the learners.
They stated that if it was vice versa, the rights’ crusaders could be all over condemning teachers and even initiating legal suits.
Some of the teachers claimed that teachers were not comfortable while handling learners at schools for fear of being attacked.
They cited cases where a student stabbed and seriously injured two teachers in a school in Kisii County, after the student was directed to do punishment after arriving at school late.
One of the teachers who is eying the position of the county executive secretary Mr. Dominc Gitau Ndung’u also castigated some current officials of KUPPET for failing to address the problem with the needed attention.
“It’s very worrying to see learners attacking their teachers. This shows deterioration of discipline among our students and the blame should be directed to parents,” added Gitau.
He asked teachers to elect competent officials of the union who would champion and protect the rights of teachers.
“Let’s have officials who will ensure matters affecting teachers are taken care of. This time we need officials from different categories including youth, women and persons living with disabilities,” he further stated.
Gitau who is also a teacher of Karega Secondary school in Kigumo further castigated the health insurance cover given to teachers.
He noted that this time, teachers want better insurance cover which would ensure all members got better treatment from government and private health facilities.
On her part, Stella Gakii who is eying the seat of representative of persons with special needs said there have been bias when employing teachers with physical disabilities.
Gakii who teaches at Rwegetha Secondary school accused the Teachers Service Commission of not giving those living with disabilities equal employment opportunities.
“We want new officials of KUPPET which will advocate for better and rights of teachers living with disabilities. For a long time, persons with physical challenges have not been given equal employment opportunities by TSC,” she added.
The group encouraged young teachers not to shy away from seeking positions in the union saying young people would revolutionize KUPPET.
By Bernard Munyao
