Opinion:Enforce rules to curb teacher absenteeism

The rules also require teachers to attend conferences, union meetings and other activities only during weekends or holidays. Head teachers and principals will not be exempt—some will be required to seek permission to be away from country directors while others will have to be cleared by sub-county directors.PHOTO: COURTESY

The introduction of tough rules to curb absenteeism by teachers was long overdue. Teachers absconding class to attend to private matters and businesses has been a perennial problem in public schools, frustrating school administrators, parents and education authorities.

Learners are often left to their own devices in the classroom and are greatly disadvantaged when they face the same examinations as their colleagues from well-run schools — particularly better structured private academies.