Kenya Moja MPs have vowed to champion teachers’ welfare, saying the government had neglected educators despite their pivotal role in society.
Speaking during World Teachers' Day celebrations in Nairobi's Kenya Science Campus, the lawmakers, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the government has turned a blind eye to challenges facing teachers, including the medical cover, stagnated salaries and poor working conditions in secondary schools.
Sifuna said the MPs caucus will take the battle to the bicameral Parliament to ensure that pay for teachers is adjusted upwards.
"We have JSS teachers earning Sh18,000 in Nairobi. This is very immoral," Sifuna said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said it is a pity that teachers are among the worst-paid civil servants despite their crucial role in society.
"Teachers have been used, misused and abused in this country. Teachers are underpaid civil servants in this country," Babu stated.
The lawmaker also backed calls for autonomy of the Junior Secondary School (JSS), saying the educators cannot be forced to work under the Primary School heads.
Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka said the continued mishandling of education by the current administration spells doom for the country.
"Some of us saw the red alerts before the last elections. If you want to kill a country, then play with the education of this country," Wamboka stated.
"This government prioritises affordable housing over education."
The MPs also warned against the push to have teachers covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying it is headed for a big failure.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo said Kenya Kwanza's push to enlist teachers under the Social Health Authority (SHA) is suspect and should be rejected.
Gisairo, who sits in the National Assembly's Education Committee, said teachers should resist any attempts to bundle them into the 'failed' health system.
"Your health cover under Minet is coming to an end. Tactfully, you are being sneaked into SHA. What was wrong with Minet that you want to sneak them into a system which many say is not working?" Gisairo posed.
Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi faulted the government for what he termed as overworking and underpaying teachers of this country.
"The biggest professional community is teachers; teachers are some of the overworked and severely underpaid government employees," Kibagendi said.
"The government promised to take care of the teachers' welfare, but instead they attacked their payslips."
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo challenged the teachers to move from lamentations and act to save the country from what he said was mismanagement.
"When we go to the constituencies and see how teachers are suffering, it always pains us. You teachers are the saviours of this country. Everything is in your hands as we move to the next elections," he stated.
