Today could yet again mark the start of national strike and possible paralysis in the education sector with great consequences to learning when most schools are to reopen. Why? Because Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) — the teachers’ umbrella body — charged with lobbying for better terms of service for teachers in Kenya gave a strike notice that ended last night. The rival union is Kenya Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).
Kenyans are distraught that the new situation emerges amidst, the continued unresolved allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds including those from development partners in aid of free primary education.
While the education sector is bedevilled with one challenge after another and one controversy after another, it appears to be business as usual by those expected to resolve the matters of management and allocation of appropriate funding.
Absorption capacity
True, the education sector represents a core social sector that receives significant budgetary allocations but with growing needs.
However, there are myriad challenges that require resolute actions given the centrality of education as a pillar of our national development given the growing population.
Our lost opportunity, however, hinges on a fact that we continue to make several sacrifices or restrained to act for short-term political considerations and accommodations with respect to management of key institutions. Our operating environment is characterised by reading politics in everything, smelling and even breathing political pervasiveness in our national governance system. This is the price we continue to pay at the expense of confronting wider national challenges like poverty and growing unemployment.
What, then, are the pertinent issues with respect to our education?
Firstly, we must acknowledge our achievements in the education sub-sector and sustained progress in our manpower development. In fact, we have seen a substantial rise in the literacy level from primary to secondary level including university that has seen rising graduate numbers in the last three decades.
However, whilst we have witnessed a growth in the number of students graduating from local, international and tertiary institutions the employment absorption capacity of the economy remains a major challenge.
As it were and is characteristic with the never-ending story of our poor planning of this country, facilities have not been developed in tandem with the growing needs.
This is a story we loathe, but have to tell in the hope that those charged with leadership responsibility in this country can act resolutely.
Primary schools are congested with classrooms not accommodating pupils following the free primary education programme. The numbers of teachers are also inadequate to assure quality education leading to continued deterioration in learning conditions.
Secondly, it is evident this time round that Knut leadership is fighting, not only for better terms of service, but more importantly to assure quality of education through recruitment of more teachers.
One key demand is to ensure appropriate teacher-to-pupils ratio to facilitate interaction and quality of learning.
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Unfortunately our political class appears out of touch with the reality of conditions facing their constituents especially deteriorating education standards. Why? Legislators as people representatives have chosen not to address these challenges, but instead engage in endless political theatrics in matters not beneficial to national or public interest.
It is telling that legislators have not reallocated resources set for recruitment of 28,000 teachers of Sh5.5 billion, but have instead shamelessly allocated funds to cushion themselves against paying taxes. What misplaced priorities and self-centredness of those we elect to represent people’s interest!
Thirdly, Public Watchdog agrees with teachers that there is certainly no justifiable reason as to why payment of teachers’ salary arrears cannot be made and allocations for recruitment of additional teachers guaranteed.
The challenges facing the education sector must be addressed wholesomely, broadly and deeply with a view to putting in place appropriate intervention.
This must of necessity, and more importantly, be aimed at charting long-term solutions today, for the present and future generations.
Ministerial level
It is our expectation that the planned dialogue will start so as to facilitate continued education of children without any prolonged disruptions. Despite the failure to agree when they met the Prime Minister, it is important to expand dialogue to demonstrate seriousness and commitment in the side of government by meetings comprising senior officials at permanent secretary and ministerial levels of Ministry from Education, the Treasury and representation from the PM’s office and Office of the President.
Finally, it cannot and must not, become a matter of political gamesmanship to hoodwink teachers with promises that have proved in the past as unworkable.
It is essential that discussions that have begun between the teachers’ leadership and Government focus at confronting present challenges facing the education sector and not only, designed to avert the imminent strike. In the end, the buck stops with the two Principals in current shared responsibilities of governing this country, this matter is of compelling public interest!
The author is an opinion leader who prefers to remain anonymous.
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