Isaac Mokaya Omari, a teacher at Nakuru High School, wrote an open letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 3, 2015, addressing various issues affecting the teaching profession in Kenya.
The letter emphasizes the importance of investing in education, citing that a well-educated nation is better equipped for socio-economic growth. Omari notes that public school teachers spend approximately nine months with students, playing a significant role in shaping their lives, and thus deserve better pay.
Omari highlights the challenges faced by teachers, including low salaries, poor working conditions, and the impact of the rising cost of living in Kenya. He mentions that many experienced teachers are leaving the profession to pursue better opportunities, affecting the quality of education in public schools.
The letter also touches on the issue of teacher absenteeism, suggesting that weak school leadership and lack of accountability contribute to the problem. Omari proposes that quality education can only be guaranteed if the government allocates more funds to address the teacher deficit and improve working conditions.
Omari expresses concern about the implementation of free primary and secondary education policies, stating that guidelines are not being followed, and schools are charging fees arbitrarily. He argues that teachers are not seeking a pay rise due to large class sizes but rather a decent remuneration for their work.
The letter concludes with Omari urging President Kenyatta to intervene and bring order to the education sector, ensuring that teachers can focus on providing quality education to students.
The recovered account cited reporting by The Standard.
