KUPPET Flags SHA Challenges as Teachers Warn of Disruptions
The second term barely got under way on Monday, but already – you can just feel the air thickening with tension in the education sector. Across the country, teachers are starting to get mighty worried – some of them taking to the streets – and warning that learning is at risk of being disrupted if these long standing issues get left unresolved.
At the heart of it all are the junior secondary school intern teachers and renewed griping about the Social Health Authority cover – both issues now threatening to boil over in a real hurry.
Intern Teachers Take to the Streets
In several regions, the intern teachers under the JSS programme are protesting in the streets, insisting the government do something about confirming them as permanent and pensionable staff. There are around 44,000 educators in this group – and they say they’ve waited long enough for things to get sorted out.
Many of them are pointing back to that court ruling in February, saying that the way they’re currently being treated is against the law and that they deserve a better deal – with real employment terms.
And its getting pretty heated – some of them didn’t mince their words when it came to the government’s priorities. They are saying that education should come first and again urging authorities to get on with issuing those appointment letters already.
You can almost smell the frustration – here are teachers who are already in the classroom, yet still dont know what their future holds.
SHA Cover Concerns Refuse to Go Away
Even after that agreement between the Ministry of Health and the unions to withdraw some of the tariffs, the complaints about the SHA medical cover are still going strong.
KUPPET – the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers – are saying that teachers are still having to pay extra for some treatments – still struggling to access the health care facilities they are entitled to – and are still having problems getting the care they need because of what they describe as ‘capping’ issues.
And on top of all that there seems to be some pretty major confusion – teachers are saying that SHA and the healthcare providers need to get their act together and send out clearer messages so teachers can work out what exactly is covered under their insurance.
Access to Healthcare Still Uneven
Things arent quite as they should be when it comes to access to healthcare in different areas of Kenya. Its patchy to say the least.
We have teachers in Kisii saying they basically have no choice but to use just a handful of facilities that are available. While in Kajiado there are some areas that dont even have an accredited hospital, which is leaving teachers along with their dependents with bugger all options.
Its just a simple question really – what use is a health cover if you cant even get it when you need it?
Disparities in Benefits Raise Eyebrows
KUPPET has also noticed that the way benefits are handed out isnt quite even. They’re particularly concerned about the maternity benefit which seems to be given out in a way thatnt quite fair.
Union officials say that teachers who are younger are getting a lot less benefit than their older colleagues. And thats causing even more upset among the teachers who expected a fair and even system.
Strike Threat Looms in Trans Nzoia
Things are getting pretty heated in Trans Nzoia. The mood has shifted from worried to warning.
Union officials there say they will start calling for protests in about a week if the things that are causing problems with the SHA cover – and the whole quality of that cover – arent sorted out.
Its pretty clear that patience is wearing thin – and wearing thin fast.
Unpaid Exam Officials Add to Pressure
And to add to all this, another group of teachers has come forward with a complaint of their own.
Teachers who helped out with last years national exams are still waiting to be paid. Theyre now calling on the government and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to pay up the money they owe.
Union officials are saying the delay has been going on for months – despite the fact that the money was supposedly set aside in the supplementary budget. So far, the affected people include invigilators, supervisors, centre managers and other people who were contracted to help out with the exams.
Its all becoming a bit of a pattern really – work hard, wait for payment, and sometimes its just not even paid at all.
In Other News: Pipeline Nairobi Residents Demand Urgent Repairs as Trans-Army Road Deteriorates
KUPPET Flags SHA Challenges as Teachers Warn of Disruptions
