Knut presses for more pupil funding

By Edwin Makiche

A teachers’ union now wants the Government to double the money allocated to pupils to cushion school managers from the effects of high costs of living.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) National Chairman Wilson Sossion said that teachers and school management committees were finding it difficult to sustain learners with the annual allocation of Sh1,020.

"The cost of living has doubled and we are asking Government to meet urgently and review the allocations. Our teachers are straining to provide pupils’ needs using the meager allocation," said Sossion.

He noted that besides asking for more funds, Knut would be pressing for employment of more teachers at the start of next year.

"We are asking the Government to also arrange to hire 20,000 new teachers to start teaching in January. We don’t want school to start running with the current acute shortage of teachers. Children deserve quality education," said the union boss.

Amend constitution

He also revealed that teachers were in disagreement with Cabinet’s decision to amend the Constitution to have next General Election held in December next year.

"The Cabinet cannot afford to decide for Kenya when elections are to be held. Kenyans passed the Constitution and they want it implemented for five years before it is amended," Sossion said.

He was speaking at the weekend at Kaboson Girls School in Bomet County during a funds drive in aid of the institution.

Sossion also called on the Government to employ 23,000 teachers for nurseries and kindergartens.

He encouraged teachers who were nursing political ambitions and assured them of the union’s support.

He said the union would negotiate with the Teachers Service Commission to grant them paid leave to participate in politics.