Sossion demands formation of special police unit to guard teachers

Sossion demands formation of special police unit to guard teachers

The Kenya National Union of Teachers wants the government to establish a special police unit to protect teachers and learners in areas prone to terrorist and banditry attacks.

In a statement issued after two teachers were killed and another injured in Wajir on Friday, KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion on Sunday called on the government to do more than just condemning the killings and condoling with affected families.

“TSC should stop shedding crocodile tears as teachers and learners continue to suffer at the hands of marauding terrorists and cattle rustlers. For over 20 years now, terrorists and bandits have been on sprawl, causing deaths, maiming teachers and learners, and causing destruction to properties, including kidnappings, said Sossion.

“We call on the Government to establish a special unit of police to guard teachers and learners as it is happening with diplomats, tourists and VIPs,” he said.

According to Sossion, this special police unit should also be charged with the responsibility of providing security to school property.

“A teacher like any other professional has a right to enjoy peace, professional freedom and protection. It is the duty of the Government to offer the protection,” said Sossion.

The KNUT secretary-general called on the government to implement the UNESCO/ILO recommendations where local communities are encouraged and supported to have teachers from the locality as part of the solution to end attacks targeting non-locals.

“As we condemn the killings of our members in the affected areas, we further call on the Government and TSC to make it a policy that local communities have teachers from indigenous groups. The Government should recruit, train and post/deploy local children to local schools. Local teachers should teach in local community, this would assist greatly to reduce terrorist attacks on educational institutions,” he said.

On Friday, February 16 three teachers were killed in a dawn attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants at Qarsa Primary School in Wajir County.

Police confirmed that those killed during the 1am attack were non-locals.

The incident was followed by a mass exodus of non-local teachers who are now fearing for their lives.

Tags:

Wilson Sossion Al Shabaab attack Kenya National Union of Teachers Teachers killed Wajir attack

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories