Time and again I have used this forum to address several issues concerning the role of a teacher not just in the education sector but the whole development process of a country. It is however ironical that although society generally appreciates the importance of teacher, this is hardly reflected in the compensation they receive for their services, especially in developing countries. I am talking about salaries and benefits. The appreciation that society has for teachers is quite easy to notice. People are more likely to call out their teacher on the street than their doctor. Many people take time to acknowledge teachers as people who played a big part in moulding them into better citizens. I have been following the print media of this region reporting on the plight of teachers with a keen eye. As the whole world braced itself for Obama’s moment of truth (inauguration), in his father’s land (Kenya) it was not really the case especially for the teachers. Teachers in Kenya went on a massive nationwide strike starting on January 19, 2009. The gist of the problem is that the Kenyan Education Ministry agreed to offer the teachers a salary increase package but insisted on having it rolled out gradually over a period of three years. The teachers could not take it. They argued that in three years’ time, inflation will have eaten away that package. Both sides stuck to their guns and now the strike is on. On Tuesday, the strike the inauguration of Barack Obama, a son of the soil became the main news item. The teachers strike did not have the airtime ans space in most media houses. Government has threatened to take tougher action against the teachers. According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chairman Ibrahim Hussein, “The teachers absent on (strike) will lose their pay for the number of days out of work or be summarily dismissed altogether.” (Daily Nation 20th January 2009) In October, Tanzania faced a similar situation. Government teachers in Tanzania went on a go-slow strike demanding payment of their salary and allowance arrears. This particular strike was characterised by the numerous government efforts to have it declared illegal by the courts of law. At one point even students of some schools in Dar es Salaam went on strike demanding that the government should pay their teachers. Officials of the Tanzania Teachers’ Union (TTU) were beaten up in one stormy meeting in Dar es Salaam by the teachers who accused them of colluding with the government to derail their strike. (The Citizen, 16 October 2008) These two strikes seem so similar. Only the timing is different. They all showcase teachers making demands but having their representatives in bed with the enemy (government in this case). Now that we are in the East African Community, attention has to be paid to these issues. Disgruntled teachers can easily choose to try their talents elsewhere in the region. Swahili is now a taught subject here and therefore the troubles in Tanzania may compel some teachers to relocate. Kenyans are already here in significant numbers. That said, I think it is only fair if employers gave teachers some respect and paid attention to their demands. The cost of living keeps rising each day but teachers’ salaries are hardly adjusted unless an election year is knocking. Here in Rwanda the situation is quit grim for those teaching in private schools. The salaries are very low despite the high cost of living. Some schools do not let their teachers to work elsewhere so as to make ends meet. As if that is not enough, many private schools here only offer a salary and no fringe benefits like transport, meals, or medical insurance. The delay of teachers’ salaries in private schools has now become a common scenario yet it is still too difficult to bear in these days of economic hardship. This certainly affects the productivity of the teachers negatively. For my colleagues in Kenya, Tanzania and any others with related problems here in Rwanda; I hear your cries and certainly feel your pain. Contact: ssenyonga@gmail.com
