School heads across the country have lauded President William Ruto’s government for ending divisive policies that have led to a mass exodus of teachers from their districts.
They said the policy was punitive and led to the death of colleagues and the separation of families.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Kenya Primary Teachers Association (Kepsha) conference, which will begin at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Primary School in Mombasa today, Chief Johnson Nzioka said it was the best decision to end the delocalization policy.
“This is a big concern among teachers, but we are happy that the government has solved the problem. There is no more problem of delocalization. Somehow the teachers are happy with the placement,” said Mr Nzioka.
Vice principal Fuad Ali said teachers were glad the policy was lifted.
Deputy National Secretary Gitonga Mugo said teachers should be allowed to choose where they are posted. He said the policy was implemented in 2018 when he was transferred from his hometown Taraka Nithi to Embu.
He said that according to the policy guidelines, he should transfer to a school similar to his previous school in terms of infrastructure. However, he was sent to a lower level school.
“Delocalization is bad if it is done in bulk. If it is done alone, there is no problem if those who want it. “People who are left have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of it,” he said.
Reverend Raja, the principal of the boarding school, said some teachers did not want to teach in his area.
“It is because of the superiority there. But he often wants teachers to ask for their own preferences; those who want to go home should be allowed. We have buried some teachers because politics does not care about individual health,” he said.
Mugo said the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should hear complaints about why teachers run away from trouble spots and how to ensure their safety.
According to him, if this is done, teachers will not be afraid to go to certain areas.
President Ruto is expected to officially open the conference tomorrow. Other speakers included Education Secretary Ezekiel Machgu, TSC Chairman Jamleck Muturi and Kenya Curriculum Development Institute Executive Director Charles Ongondo.
At the same time, teachers welcome the decision to live in elementary school in high school.
Nzioka said the primary school is capable of accommodating grades 7 to 9.
“Teachers have improved themselves by improving their education. Today, more than 60 percent of our teachers are alumni. In terms of infrastructure, children who went to Grade 7 have lessons that were vacated by those who entered Grade 8,” said Nzioka.
This step, he said, will help the government achieve 100 percent pass rate for 8th standard candidates this year.
Nzioka also praised President Ruto for setting up the Labor Party on Education Reform for steering the sector in the right direction.