KNUT Demands Additional Teachers and Better Infrastructure for Special Schools in Kenya

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has raised an urgent call for the posting of additional teachers to special schools across the country. This demand comes amid concerns over the chronic understaffing that these institutions face, despite a growing enrollment of students with special needs.

The Current Situation

Francis Bundotich, the Executive Secretary of the Koibatek/Mogotio Branch of KNUT, recently highlighted the dire situation in special schools. Speaking at a recent event, Bundotich revealed that these schools are struggling to cope with increasing student numbers while being severely understaffed. He pointed out that there are thousands of trained special education teachers in the country, many of whom have remained jobless for years. “Special schools in the country have been neglected for long. These schools grapple with understaffing, and we want to ask the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to post teachers to these schools,” Bundotich stated.

A Violation of Rights

According to Bundotich, the neglect of special schools over the years constitutes a gross violation of the rights of special needs learners. The lack of adequate teaching staff and proper infrastructure has severely impacted the quality of education and daily activities of these students. Bundotich emphasized the need for urgent intervention by the government, both at the national and county levels, to address these issues.

Infrastructure Challenges

In addition to the staffing issues, Bundotich also decried the poor infrastructure in special schools. He pointed out that most of these institutions lack the necessary facilities to support the learners adequately. This deficiency has greatly inconvenienced the students and made it difficult for them to carry out their daily activities effectively. “Most special schools lack the necessary infrastructure for learners. This has greatly inconvenienced the learners and made it difficult for them to go about their day-to-day activities. As a result, we want to ask both levels of government to urgently address this problem,” Bundotich added.

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The Rift Valley Case Study

A spot-check conducted at special schools in the Rift Valley region revealed some alarming statistics. Several schools have a learner population of over 400 but are staffed with fewer than 10 teachers. This significant discrepancy highlights the urgent need for the TSC to deploy more teachers to these schools to ensure that the special needs learners receive the attention and education they deserve.

The Way Forward

To address these pressing issues, KNUT is calling on the TSC to prioritize the posting of trained special education teachers to schools across the country. Furthermore, the union is urging both levels of government to invest in improving the infrastructure of special schools. This includes building and maintaining facilities that can accommodate the unique needs of special needs learners, ensuring that they have a conducive learning environment.

Conclusion

The plight of special schools in Kenya, as highlighted by KNUT, underscores a critical need for immediate action to ensure that special needs learners receive the quality education and support they deserve. By addressing the understaffing and infrastructure challenges, the government can uphold the rights of these learners and provide them with a better future. As the country moves forward, it is imperative that the needs of all students, including those with special needs, are met with the urgency and seriousness they warrant.

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