Teaching is the only profession in Kenya where the government employs “untrained teachers” to instruct in regions such as the country’s part. It is likely the only profession in the country without an autonomous self-regulating and standard-setting organization. This is performed by the educator’s employer. Journalists, physicians, attorneys, engineers, and accountants all have autonomous, active, pro-member self-regulatory agencies. However, teachers have unions that are primarily concerned with working conditions and member welfare.
The task of determining a teacher’s value falls to individuals who are not members of the profession. Therefore, the bodies entrusted with appointing or proposing compensation for public officials find it easy to rank P1 teachers at the same level as front-office personnel in other government agencies and departments. It is also the reason why a graduate teacher with a Bachelor of Education degree is ranked at the same level as a clerk with a certificate in some government-funded departments.
In the 1960s, the independence government frequently employed unqualified teachers in public schools. This was a colonial legacy that was continued. Historically, however, we have rarely heard of the same or succeeding administrations hiring unskilled physicians, engineers, nurses, accountants, economists, etc. The assumption that “anyone can teach” has always existed. Therefore, this teaching labor does not require any additional or special compensation. Accept the offer or decline it. If you don’t want it, you can leave or seek job elsewhere. There are others who are unemployed and willing to work for half of your current salary.
Surely this mentality has disheartened people who enthusiastically pursue education as a career. It diminishes the professional attraction of teaching. Prospective graduates and students are left questioning if becoming a teacher is worthwhile at all. What is the purpose of four, three, or two years of training if untrained teachers can perform the same duties? Why should you squander your time and your parents’ money?
Everyone is aware that quacks are never allowed in other professions. They are typically prosecuted and sometimes imprisoned when discovered. In the realm of teaching, quacks are allowed by the government through the responsible ministry and the teachers themselves, who do not complain loudly enough. Numerous little private schools proliferate at the same rate as “panda-mbegu” briefcase churches. These establishments are the worst offenders when it comes to hiring unqualified teachers and paying them peanuts or what can only be termed as “sabuni” while the entrepreneurs maximize profits.
Medical professionals, engineers, attorneys, journalists, and accountants are all cautious about permitting inexperienced and unsophisticated people to imitate them. In their respective fields, they employ accreditation procedures and crackdowns against fraudulent colleges and subpar programs. Even shady teachers claim to offer teacher teaching programs. They are permitted to operate and occasionally offer certificate and diploma programs.
These actions of omission or commission have denigrated teaching, a supposedly hallowed and promising profession with high standards and unique compensation. The teaching profession should be made as desirable as law, medicine, and engineering, among others. The floor is now open to genuine aficionados of the teaching profession. This should be the next front after the dust settles from the present strike.
Teaching is the only profession in Kenya where the government employs “untrained teachers” to teach in regions such as the country’s part. It is likely the only profession in the country without an autonomous self-regulating and standard-setting organization. This is performed by the educator’s employer. Journalists, physicians, attorneys, engineers, and accountants all have autonomous, active, pro-member self-regulatory agencies. However, teachers have unions that are primarily concerned with working conditions and member welfare.
The task of determining a teacher’s value falls to individuals who are not members of the profession. Therefore, the bodies entrusted with appointing or proposing compensation for public officials find it easy to rank P1 teachers at the same level as front-office personnel in other government agencies and departments. It is also the reason why a graduate teacher with a Bachelor of Education degree is ranked at the same level as a clerk with a certificate in some government-funded departments.
In the 1960s, the independence government frequently employed unqualified teachers in public schools. This was a colonial legacy that was continued. Historically, however, we have rarely heard of the same or succeeding administrations hiring unskilled physicians, engineers, nurses, accountants, economists, etc. The assumption that “anyone can teach” has always existed. Therefore, this teaching labor does not require any additional or special compensation. Accept the offer or decline it. If you don’t want it, you can leave or seek job elsewhere. There are others who are unemployed and willing to work for half of your current salary.
Surely this mentality has disheartened people who enthusiastically pursue education as a career. It diminishes the professional attraction of teaching. Prospective graduates and students are left questioning if becoming a teacher is worthwhile at all. What is the purpose of four, three, or two years of training if untrained teachers can perform the same duties? Why should you squander your time and your parents’ money?
Everyone is aware that quacks are never allowed in other professions. They are typically prosecuted and sometimes imprisoned when discovered. In the realm of teaching, quacks are allowed by the government through the responsible ministry and the teachers themselves, who do not complain loudly enough. Numerous little private schools proliferate at the same rate as “panda-mbegu” briefcase churches. These establishments are the worst offenders when it comes to hiring unqualified teachers and paying them peanuts or what can only be termed as “sabuni” while the entrepreneurs maximize profits.
Medical professionals, engineers, attorneys, journalists, and accountants are all cautious about permitting inexperienced and unsophisticated people to imitate them. In their respective fields, they employ accreditation procedures and crackdowns against fraudulent colleges and subpar programs. Even shady teachers claim to offer teacher teaching programs. They are permitted to operate and occasionally offer certificate and diploma programs.
These actions of omission or commission have denigrated teaching, a supposedly hallowed and promising profession with high standards and unique compensation. The teaching profession should be made as desirable as law, medicine, and engineering, among others. The floor is now open to genuine aficionados of the teaching profession. This should be the next front after the dust settles from the present strike.
