•Mombasa has about 600 private schools, 6,000 teachers. Their public school counterparts are much better off, still get paid though schools are closed.
• Most parents pay in installments, don't pay fees if schools closed. Unlikely to take children back to same school because of fees arrears.
Most private school teachers in Mombasa have not been paid for almost three months as schools were closed in March to limit spread of the coronavirus.
Teachers depend largely upon fees paid by parents for their salaries.
Most have had to take up side jobs, small businesses, even manual work.
The national government ordered closure of schools just three weeks to the end of the term.
On Wednesday, several teachers who spoke to the Star said they have not been paid their March, April and May salaries. They requested anonymity for fear of reprisal and embarrassment at their schools.
“Many people think private school teachers are well paid but not all private schools pay well," one teacher said. "Most parents pay fees in instalments, therefore, teachers have to wait until fees are paid to get their salaries."
He said schools closed towards the end of March, so they went home without salaries, adding that they should be classified as vulnerable people.
Public school teachers continue to receive salaries.
Educationist Hemed Mukui said Mombasa county has more than 800 private primary schools and more than 6,000 teachers.
"They depend wholly on salaries from the schools. What happens if someone is not paid for three months?" he asked.
Mukui told the Star when schools are re-opened, most parents will not take their children back to their former schools because of their huge fees balances.
“As we speak now, most private schools are at the verge of collapsing,” Mukui said.
Most private schools are on rented property and must pay rent whether school is open or not, he said.
“School owners are contemplating whether to pay their teachers or the rent," he said. "Most parents have not paid schools fees, so where do school owners get the money to settle all these bills?” the educationist asked.
The national government has allocated billions of shillings to musicians, athletes, the tourism sector and the youth, but has forgotten about the teachers, he said.
“The ratio of public to private schools is 1:5 in Mombasa, meaning most children are in private schools, but their teachers have been neglected,” he said.
The educationist said government should give financial support to the Teachers Service Commission-registered teachers working in private schools and grappling with unemployment.
When schools reopen, he said, the government should cater for the cost of hand sanitiser, water, soap and face masks for private schools in the county.
“The parents should not bear the additional cost of buying water and soap. This should be provided for free in all public and private schools,” he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)