26 teachers die of Covid-19, TSC appeals for more tests

Teachers will receive Covid-19 vaccine irrespective of age, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Dr Nancy Macharia has said.

In an appeal during the release of 2020 KCPE results at Mtihani House, Nairobi, Dr Macharia said teachers should take advantage of the vaccination exercise to get Covid-19 jabs.

Dr Macharia said despite best efforts by TSC to protect its teachers from the effects of Covid-19, including asking teachers aged over 58 to work from home, 15 teachers, three deputies and eight head-teachers died of Covid-19 in the Primary School sub-sector.

“We do not want to lose even one teacher and empathize with their families. I passionately urge the teachers to adhere and adopt to the twin remedies of complying with all Covid-19 protocols measures and also get vaccinated as the best way of pre-empting further negative effects of the pandemic. We ask teachers, therefore, to refer to the list of the 622 Covid-19 vaccination centers on the TSC website for ease of reference,” said Dr Macharia.

The TSC Chief Executive Officer chair went on to laud the government for acknowledging teachers as a priority population in the vaccination drive.

“I commend all the 92,246 who by Wednesday had taken the jab. Today, President Uhuru Kenyatta has allowed us to ensure that all teachers will be allowed to take Covid-19 vaccine irrespective of their age. We are appealing to all teachers to ensure that they get the vaccine even as we open the schools,” said Dr Macharia.

Highlighting the case of Magdalene Njoki Kimani, a principal who trekked for 20 kilometers on foot daily to deliver exams in Narok, Dr Macharia said TSC will honour teachers for service above and beyond the call of duty.

“We have no intention to punish any teacher who goes beyond the call of duty to help our learners. You may have read in the newspapers about the incredible teacher in Narok County. We celebrate such teachers, and urge them to keep up with a good job, said Macharia.