Sossion urges TSC to resolve Mandera teachers plight

Mr. Wilson Sossion, a member of the House team that handles education matters, is calling for quick action on issues facing teachers in Mandera County.

He said there is urgent need for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to permanently resolve issues of insecurity, exam cheating and sexual harassment that have affected learning in the county.

Mr. Sossion was speaking in Parliament on Thursday when a delegation of teachers from Mandera appeared before the committee to present their grievances.

The move comes after teachers from the region downed their tools saying they could no longer work under untenable circumstances.

They told the House team that some of their colleagues face discrimination on the basis of clan, religion and race and clan. “There is a gang in Mandera that frequently attacks teachers who are not from the area,” one of them said.

Another issue they want addressed is allegations of school heads taking part in cheating during national exams. There are claims that during past KCPE exams, some invigilators were paid to give students answers while they sat for their papers.

Lastly, the teachers also raised concern over reports of victimisation and sexual harassment of female tutors.

“I was sick last year and applied for leave of absence but my head teacher would not approve it because I had refused his sexual advances. When I reported the matter to the sub county director, I was told that I ought to have communicated the issue through the said head teacher,” one teacher said on condition of anonymity.