KNUT wants more teachers for Bomet schools

Officials of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Bomet branch have decried teacher shortages in the county.

Branch chairman Joseph Cheruiyot and the executive secretary Joseph Malel Langat said the shortage was largely to blame for the poor results posted by local schools in last year's National examination results.

"Many schools have engaged teachers on contractual terms and this is straining their meager resources," Langat said.

He took issue with the massive transfer of teachers, some to hostile are regardless of their welfare.

"TSC should be mindful of teachers' safety. some have been moved to places like Konoin where they face challenges in crossing tea estates where there are barriers denying access to strangers," he said.

Mr Langat said that 824 teachers who have obtained their masters and degree program and deserve promotion are yet to be promoted.

"The Branch Executive committee reiterates it earlier demand that move than 800 teachers in Bomet county with new qualifications be promoted. The TSC Act provides that teachers who have advanced their professional skills are entitled for promotions," Langat said.

The Union's women Representative Jecita Kefa encouraged the teachers to join the union for the purpose of unity.

"What we want to tell our teachers who are not members of KNUT is to move with speed and join us,"Ms Kefa said.

She asked the government to avail teaching and learning materials and employ more teachers if schools are to do well.

Mr Malel on his part thanked the members for a peaceful election during the Union's Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Former chair Francis Tonui  decried that many schools in Bomet county do not have laboratories and this was making it difficult for teachers to teach science subjects.

The Branch officials said they did not support a number of reforms in the sector and called for training of teachers so that they can play their role effectively.