KANYI GIOKO: Teachers: The pillars of society and family

Kanyi Gioko (Ph.D.), Career Educationist, Researcher, Digital Content and Curriculum Developer./COURTERSY

In recent times, there has been a concerning rise in media criticism unfairly directed at teachers, professionals who are simply fulfilling their noble duties.

While some parents may have valid concerns, this growing wave of negativity is often misplaced. It targets a profession that plays a fundamental role in shaping not just our children, but the future of our society and nation.

Today, I wish to reflect on this issue—and I invite you to walk with me, and feel free to share your thoughts.

The Kenyan school calendar is structured such that learners spend 13 weeks in school and only 2 weeks at home each term, except December, which is slightly longer due to exam logistics.

In total, children spend about 10.5 months per year under the care of teachers, and just about 7 weeks with their parents.

Ironically, many of these same parents still enroll their children in private tuition during school holidays—further extending their time with teachers to nearly 11.5 months each year, save for the Christmas break.

Children begin school as early as age 5, in the playgroup stage, to socialise and learn basic independence. By age 7, they are in mainstream early learning.

From that point, they remain in the school system for approximately 14 more years. Follow the numbers with me: teachers spend close to 16 out of the first 20 formative years of a child's life with them.

In that time, teachers don’t just teach—they mold, guide, and build the attitudes, character, skills, and worldviews of your child.

They influence how your child thinks, behaves, and interacts with the world—often more deeply than parents can in the limited time they have.

For any parent who truly loves and cares for their child, teachers are among the most valuable contributors to that child’s growth and the stability of the family unit.

It is only right, then, that we accord this profession the support, respect, and appreciation it deserves as they help us raise our children and build the nation.

Teachers are highly trained professionals. They don’t just teach—they parent our children on our behalf.

With such a weighty responsibility, it is troubling to see some parents resist or criticise efforts such as school trips or learning activities meant to prepare children for real-world experiences.

Learning trips are not leisure outings; they are practical, curriculum-based lessons delivered in real environments, helping learners connect classroom knowledge with the outside world.

To be fair, not all parents oppose these initiatives. But even where there is no resistance, the language used by some to question such activities is often disrespectful and dismissive, especially when considering the importance of preparing our children for life beyond school.

It is puzzling that some parents will happily spend money on luxuries like new sports rims, expensive drinks, and entertainment, but then balk at paying Sh5,000 (about $50) for a school trip.

Yet they are quick to spend Sh3,000 ($25) per two-hour session for private tuition during holidays, essentially paying for teachers to continue doing the very work they are unfairly criticized for.

We must call out this hypocrisy and reassess our priorities. As a parent, I firmly believe in supporting school programs—and going the extra mile to assist any other child who may not be in a position to participate. And just for the record, I also send thank-you notes to my children's teachers in appreciation of the incredible work they do in shaping the next generation.

It’s time to stand up for our teachers. They are not just educators; they are pillars of our families and our future. We need to reevaluate our tendency to react impulsively with the buffalo herd mentality without giving the issues at hand a thorough critical examination and considering their value and how they impact all of us as a community.

You have only one opportunity to raise your child, and the teacher comes in hands-on 98% of the time.

Let us choose what matters most and invest more in that; other fleeting glittering perishables will distract us and make us lose focus on our solid foundation, a well-brought-up and character-formed generation.

God bless you; God bless Kenya.

The writer is a career educationist, researcher, and digital content and curriculum developer. He comments on topical issues