A Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) official has demanded that the government fulfills its promise of upgrading its members.
The union Secretary General James Torome said President William Ruto promised to upgrade all special needs teachers in September last year.
He however said the teachers have not received the promised promotions and the expected salary increments.
Speaking when they distributed food and non-food items to pupils of Hope Special School for the Mentally Challenged in Mbita Sub-county, Torome said the delay in implementation of the directive was demoralising teachers.
“Teachers’ unions officials were invited to State House September last year and the President issued a directive that teachers be upgraded by one job group. But so far it has not been implemented,” Torome said.
He urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to speed implementation of the directive.
Torome who was accompanied by KUSNET first National trustee Jackson Odindo, demanded that the TSC implements the directive before the end of next month.
“We are asking the TSC to move with speed and implement the directive before the end of April,” Torome said.
He also told the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi to release money to the TSC to facilitate implementation of the presidential directive.
“We are urging CS Mbadi to release the money so that TSC can promote teachers,” Torome said.
Torome also called for the honouring of the Presidential directive that 20 per cent of the affordable housing units be reserved for teachers.
Torome urged President Ruto to direct Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga to speed up implementation of the pledge.
“PS Hinga has not met teachers to tell us what is going on as directed by the President,” Torome added.
Odindo who is also the head teacher of Hope Special School for the Mentally Challenged, said pupils with special needs required support due to numerous challenges they undergo.
“Our school has poor infrastructure because we are using classrooms as dormitories. Sometimes we have to limit admission due to inadequate infrastructure. We appeal for more help,” Odindo said.
By Davis Langat
