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The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has proposed that teachers’ Pension Scheme be managed by the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).

Knut National Secretary General Collins Oyuu noted that most teachers retire and fail to get their pension since they are referred to a third party.

Speaking during the 12th special annual general meeting at Kapsokwony Boys High School, Oyuu said many teachers are conned by brokers while chasing their pension.

The National Secretary General asked the government to consider their proposal, noting that most teachers die before enjoying their savings.

While lauding the government for doing away with the delocalisation policy, Oyuu (pictured) noted that many teachers were still working far from their homes.

On school capitation funds, Oyuu called upon the government to increase the amount, saying it had not been reviewed in the last 10 years despite the high cost of living.

“The government should also ensure the money is send to school accounts on time,” he added.
Oyuu lauded the government’s plan to employ 20,000 new teachers in September.

He, however, challenged the government to allow primary school teachers to upgrade to junior secondary to ease the burden of inadequate teachers in the schools.

At the same time, the Secretary General asked the government to come up with a special tribunal to listen to appeals presented by teachers in discipline cases.

He noted that TSC cannot interdict a teacher and at the same time listen to his appeal, noting that by the time of interdiction, the commission had made its mind hence there was a need for a third party to listen to the case.

“I have a case on my desk where a teacher was interdicted and dismissed at the age of 59 which means he is heading home empty handed after serving the TSC for 30 years,” he said.

Oyuu proposed that a teacher who is found guilty in a disciplinary case should be compensated for the number of years he or she has served.

On health, he called upon the government to accredit more hospitals, giving an example of Mt Elgon Sub County where only one hospital is accredited to offer services to teachers.

“This forces teachers to travel out of their work station to seek medical attention in case it’s an emergency,” he observed.