Teachers’ unions raise alarm over increase of suicide cases
Teachers’ unions raise alarm over increase of suicide cases
Teachers’ unions raise alarm over increase of suicide cases
The rising number of teacher suicides, which they attributed to “intolerable working conditions,” has alarmed teachers’ unions.
According to Omboko Milemba, national chairman of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), over 100 teachers have committed suicide in the last three years. Mr. Milemba demanded quick action, stating that the number is still rising.
The strain teachers are under, along with irrational demands, were brought to light by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet).
They contended that these are the main causes of the instructors’ dissatisfaction, sense of failure, and eventual suicide deaths.
The unions are raising the alarm and declaring that there is a mental health emergency that needs to be addressed right away.
According to Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori, teachers are drinking more alcohol as a coping strategy for work-related stress, and some are even turning to self-harm.
“To address the epidemic of mental illness among the teaching profession, we need a two-pronged approach,” stated Misori.
Misori emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy that includes providing all school employees with fully financed mental health training.
According to Misori, “nobody should be driven to the verge of suicide because of their job.”
He went on, “The government should address the issues causing work-related stress and also put in place stronger systems of support for educators and school administrators.”
Misori emphasized that teachers’ mental and physical health is suffering as a result of work-related stress, and she called for government action to address the “There is no intrinsic reason why teaching should have such high levels of burnout,” said Misori.
He added: “Many teachers are having their health destroyed and others are leaving the profession in a bid to save their sanity.”
Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu blamed low salaries and high cost of living for teachers’ deteriorating mental health.
“It is high time that someone somewhere looks into the challenges facing teachers. How many more have to die to get swift action?” Oyuu questioned.
He emphasised the urgency of fair compensation and improved working conditions to alleviate the burden on educators.
“Remunerate the teachers well and create convenient working conditions at entry and exit points and you shall have solved three quarters of their problems,” Oyuu said.
Peter Sitienei of Kusnet expressed deep concern and urged swift action to address the crisis.
“Teachers form the highest number in mental hospitals and rehabilitation centres with others streaming into hospitals in dozens over depression,” he said.
Kenya Women Teachers Association chief executive, Benta Opande, agreed that suicide cases among tutors are on the rise.
“Mental health is a real challenge with teachers’ wellbeing. All of our members are depressed even heads of Institutions are under pressure,” Opande said.
Emotional testimonies from teachers underscored the severity of the situation.
A head teacher in Kiambu linked the pressure from delayed capitation and parental expectations to teachers’ depression, stressing the need for timely support and adequate funding.
“With the kind of pressure, some of our colleagues with personal social challenges easily sink into depression. Some are lost in drugs and substance abuse,” she said.
“Mental health is in crisis in our profession. It is a crisis. There’s no getting away from it,” added the teacher.
Another teacher called for a holistic approach on addressing their social well-being and criticised unrealistic expectations imposed on them.
“We need to be mindful of the general social well-being of our teachers before we blindly turn this noble profession into a death-trap,” said the teacher in Nairobi.
He emphasized the difficulties brought forth by low wages and the requirement for sufficient support networks.
“The one we are working with is just for surviving, if not living,” he said. “What we are earning is beyond mental repair.”
There have also been requests for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to redesign its counseling program.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to the welfare of educators while recognizing the difficulties they encounter, such as a lack of resources and a sluggish uptake of IT expertise.
“We take their well-being very seriously and we recognize the extraordinary work that headteachers, teachers, and other staff in schools provide,” Dr. Macharia stated.
According to Dr. Macharia, TSC has launched a comprehensive health insurance plan with AoN Minet for all instructors in order to address the issues.
She went on to say that the commission has a teachers wellness department whose goal is to make sure teachers have a comfortable place to work.
The TSC’s 2021–2022 annual report made clear how common mental health problems are among educators.
The research notes that the efficient delivery of the curriculum is impacted by substance and alcohol misuse, neglect of duty, and immoral behavior.
The prevalence of mental health problems in the field is even more concerning; according to TSC, one in four teachers requesting outpatient care has a mental health disease.
The commission has expressed concern over the rising number of staff members experiencing mental health issues, which is having an impact on the caliber of instruction. In order to do this, the commission has persisted in communicating with partners and stakeholders in order to raise employee awareness of mental health issues. According to the article, “the commission has also improved employees’ medical plans to facilitate better attention of mental illness related cases.”
Over 22 instructors were reported dead by suicide during that time.
The study highlighted the commission’s initiatives to address these issues through improved medical programs and public awareness campaigns.
