The Kenya Union of Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) wants the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to pay risk allowances to science teachers.
Mr. Ronald Tonui, the Assistant National Treasurer, said there are many health risks for teachers when they use dangerous chemicals in the laboratory while teaching students at school.
“Science teachers have been exposed to chemicals in labs for years, and some have died, but the risks have not been addressed,” Tonui said.
He said that some teachers were injured in an accident in the laboratory and many were not reported.
The most affected are chemistry and physics teachers because they use chemicals that emit gases and are prone to explosions, as well as handle electrical equipment.
During the practical session, many students were injured, many were burned to varying degrees.
Health facilities in these institutions do not have the capacity to treat injuries and victims often have to be transported to hospitals located far away, especially in rural areas.
“Science teachers in Uganda are paid a risk allowance, why can’t they be in Kenya, but our economy is better. It is time for the state to focus on the welfare of teachers who have been suffering in silence for many years,” he said.
He said all public school teachers should be paid risk allowance by TSC due to frequent attacks and serious injuries by students.
He said that the incidents involving the beating and killing of teachers by students in Narok, Keriko, Nyamira, Kisumu and Kisii not only increased the problem of law and order in schools but also the safety of teachers.
A principal of a secondary school in Narok was killed by a student who was disciplined for violating the rules and regulations set by the institution.
A school principal in Kericho County suffered severe head injuries when students sent home to collect fees were attacked with wooden boards and iron nails. The student was then arrested and sent to court.
In another incident, three students were arrested and charged in court after attacking two teachers with a knife after refusing two misdemeanor sentences.
“Given the undocumented number of attacks on schools in many countries, TSC should pay teachers’ risk reserves. “This is a very serious problem in institutions where there is an increase in regulation and attacks,” said Tonui.
Education policy limits the discipline a teacher can give to a student found guilty of unlawful punishment.
However, some institutions are accused of punishing unruly students