PREPAREDNESS FOR COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING
KUPPET commends the government for providing salaries to teachers and other workers employed by Boards of Management in public schools. We thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Prof. George Magoha, for hearing the cries of the workers. BOM staff are indispensable to the normal functioning of public schools.
The government’s action is a 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 B0M teachers. The union also lobbied Parliament to provide the funds.
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 develop the infrastructure necessary for complying with COVID-19 protocols by January 2021.
KUPPET fully supports the government’s plan to roll out community-based learning in conjunction with the Nyuma Kumi initiative. We urge our members to come up with creative ideas to engage the learners in their respective localities, estates and villages. Our message to teachers is simple: Even as we coordinate with the multi-sectoral agencies, don’t wait for Chiefs and Provincial Administration officials to advise you on this programme.
Given the anticipated complexity of the programme, the union will map the country and establish which of our members will be available for the effort. We urge principals and headteachers who live within their school communities to help devise the clusters within which the community-based programmes will be delivered.
Away from curriculum subjects, teachers must bear in mind the social needs of these perilous times and provide a broad-based programme encompassing mentorship, guidance and counselling, hygiene and COVID-19 awareness, the nurturing of life skills, values and community service.
We will also work with the Teachers Service Commission to devise a point-based system for recognising teachers who will participate in this noble programme.