The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has cautioned teachers against preying on school going children and vowed never to defend any culprit.
The second KNUT National Women Representative Mercy Muthoni advised teachers to stay away from students noting that preying on them is tantamount to destroying their future.
Speaking at Gikumene primary school in Meru town during the Meru Central KNUT branch Annual General Meeting, Ms Muthoni said the union does not condone canal knowledge between teachers and students.
“Let me caution teachers against preying on students. It is destroying their future. Stay away from those young children. The union does not condone canal knowledge between teachers and students. We shall not defend you when you are caught. Stop looking at our girls and come to us. We are more experienced than them,” said Ms Muthoni amid applause from the teachers.
She called on the government to review the career progression guidelines of teachers in a bid to ensure no teacher stagnates in one grade for more than three years.
Muthoni regretted that some teachers are stagnating in one grade for even over seven years but assured them that there is light at the end of the tunnel because the union is discussing with the government about the promotions.
She also called on the government to increase maternity leave from 120 days to 180 days and lauded it for giving lactating teachers breaks of two hours per day for two months to breastfeed.
The official said they are engaging the government to ensure the teachers dismissed over disciplinary issues are given their dues for the years or days they have worked.
Muthoni called on the government to let the TSC to be independent and not be controlled by the executive.
“The right channels must be followed when promoting teachers. I urge TSC to ensure it promotes those who apply and are 55 years and above. We want them to retire when they are happy.
It’s regrettable that some MPs are distributing employment letters to teachers during public meetings. This is demeaning to teachers and the entire profession as a whole,” said Ms Muthoni.
She said they are not happy with the trend because deserving teachers will not get the opportunity since politicians will only give the employment letters to their cronies.
Muthoni called on the government to disburse the capitation at the right time and amount noting that the delay is forcing some principals to go back to their pockets in order to run the schools.
Muthoni lauded the government for giving baggage allowance to teachers transferring from one sub county to another.
