KUPPET Push for Armed Teachers in Conflict Regions
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) requests that the government train and arm teachers in conflict-prone regions such as Lamu, Kapedo, and Samburu so that they can provide “quality education” to students.
KUPPET National Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima demands that teachers in insecure areas be provided with firearms for self-protection.
ALSO READ: KUPPET Push to Reduce Wage Gap Between Classroom Teachers & School Heads
Nthurima believes that the proper approach to addressing the challenge was not to send the Minister for Internal Security to regions like Lamu, Kapedo, or Samburu for political purposes but to arm teachers.
According to him, this would deter bandits and ensure the safety of teachers, the community, and students, thus facilitating quality education.
This comes as the Kenya National Union of Teachers demands increased security for its members who operate in the North Eastern region.
At the annual general meeting of the Garissa branch of Knut, assistant national treasurer Kullow Sheikh stated that security must not be compromised.
ALSO READ: Gender Distribution in Junior Secondary School Enrollment by County and Constituency: Boys Outnumber Girls
“If the government sincerely wants to support education here, they should up the security so that our teachers feel secure,” he said.
Dekow Mohammed, the Garissa Township representative, was present.
Issues of insecurity have caused a mass exodus of teachers from the region, which has had a negative impact on performance on national examinations.
Although the government has implemented additional security measures for the region, Kullow emphasized the need for more actions to protect instructors and schools.
He stated that teachers cannot perform effectively if they do not feel secure in their institutions.
ALSO READ: KUPPET Teachers Threaten to Boycott KCSE Exam Supervision Over Poor Working Condition
KUPPET Push for Armed Teachers in Conflict Regions