Science Teachers to Receive Risk Allowances
Science Teachers to Receive Risk Allowances
Moses Nthurima, the Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), has demanded that science teachers receive risk-related compensation in addition to their base pay. He made this suggestion at the Seme Sub-county-hosted Kisumu County KUPPET Annual General Meeting.
Nthurima said that the hazards faced by science teachers are equal to those faced by those working in the medical industry because they are exposed to dangerous chemicals on a daily basis.
Nthurima also suggested that teachers be given per diem payments in order to be consistent with public sector norms. He made it clear that instructors are currently not eligible for this benefit. He also emphasized the long hours that teachers work, which frequently go into the evening after they start early in the morning, and the necessity to fairly reward them for overtime.
Nthurima asked lawmakers to avoid meddling in the selection of new teachers, arguing that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should continue to be in charge of these matters. He also argued for a review of teacher education programs to make sure they remain current with emerging trends.
He suggested that people who want to work in management positions in the education industry obtain the proper training in college so they are ready from the start to take on administrative responsibilities.Nthurima also raised concerns about differences in teacher compensation, pointing out a clear wage disparity where TSC officials receive better pay than the typical teacher.
In a related move, Ronald Tonui, the assistant national treasurer for KUPPET, had earlier proposed that science instructors get a risk allowance because they are exposed to risky substances when instructing practical sessions in labs. Tonui brought up the fact that several science professors had developed major pulmonary conditions over the years without receiving any sort of compensation.
