Magoha says teachers’ pay not tied to community learning programme
Noah Cheploen and Henry Andanje @PeopleDailyKe
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has assured teachers that community- based learning programme is not connected to their monthly salaries and they will therefore not be victimised.
In a statement, Prof Magoha dismissed reports that those who will not participate will not be paid their monthly dues, terming such claims as untrue.
“The programme is not tied to the payment of monthly salaries. The ministry, therefore, wishes to clarify media reports to the effect that teachers who are yet to enroll for the programme will be denied their monthly salaries,” he said, and urged teachers who haven’t enrolled to do so to enable “smooth running of the programme.”
At the same time, Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General, Wilson Sossion defended Magoha over the reopening of schools saying its foolhardy for anybody to blame him over the uncertainties facing the sector because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to a local television yesterday, Sossion cautioned those politicising the ongoing education crisis,saying this was not the time to apportion blame, but to work together to ensure learners don’t lose track.
Sossion also clarified that community-based learning programme, doesn’t translate to opening of schools.
He said it is a voluntary programme for teachers to ensure learning continues in their localities.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 community-based learning centres have been set up in Busia County for both primary and secondary school students who are on holiday due to Coronavirus pandemic, a government official has revealed.
Busia county education boss Thaddeus Awuor said the centres have been put up in the seven sub-counties, adding that learning will kick off from today.
Awuor said that arrangements for the community-based learning programme, which was introduced by the government recently, have been finalised in the county.
