Ensure teachers’ safety instead of the threats

The stalemate between teachers working in northern Kenya and their employer requires tact to resolve. At the heart of the matter is refusal by some 800 teachers to return to work due to insecurity following the killings of their colleagues last November.

They argue that although normality seems to have returned to the region, they cannot be guaranteed long-term security and hence, do not want to gamble with their lives.

But the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has directed that they return to their stations because security has been beefed up, in fact, threatening to sack those who fail to report to work.

Yet by now, TSC top brass should have known better than issuing empty threats. Teachers defy them every day and know very well that there is little TSC can do.

The substantive point of discussion is what should be done to get teachers and other professionals to work in risky and trouble-prone areas like northern Kenya, the Coast and parts of the Rift Valley.

NATIONAL CHALLENGE

Insecurity is a national challenge that requires concerted efforts of the national government and all its agencies, as well as the county governments. Security must be tackled methodically and sustainably, not through fits and starts.

Experience has shown that the government only reacts when the terrorists or gangs strike. Even then, the reactions are poorly coordinated and very temporary. Yet, the terrorists or gangsters are ruthlessly efficient and unleash actions that have long-term impact.

Rather than issue threats, the TSC should engage the national and county governments to find ways of securing schools and other public institutions to guarantee safety of teachers and other workers. Threatening or even sacking the teachers without finding a long-lasting solution to insecurity is futile.