Striking Teachers;Unspoken Truths.

Teachers have for a long time now been the subject of discussion year in year out. I honestly don't remember the last time a year passed without teachers going on strike. Perhaps when they were mum they were busy consuming the bits that had trickled down after a strike. This has in many ways made me question, if paying the teachers is really the solution and best way to raise the status quo of the teachers in Kenya. Kindly note I am a professional trained teacher but not practising, not because of pay but for personal interests.When I openly make statements about the pay for teachers. I am consciously aware that my extended family has many teachers and I know this pay increase would do good to their own personal financial liquidity. But at what cost really? Is it really a long lasting solution?

 

My answer to the above question is a strong NO. If we pay the teachers our wage bill will increase further. Many may argue that the government should find the loopholes that Kenya loses its GDP to corruption but to seal the loopholes and pay teachers will not help in any way. We need to look for a solution that will benefit all the professionals and avoid a spiral effect. Let us look for the money holes in the government and use the money to reduce the cost of living. 

 

I vividly remember irrigation projects were to be started all over the country by the Jubilee Government. What is the progress of those projects? I also remember water was discovered in Northern Kenya, I am yet to know if the water was confirmed fit for human consumption and farming and if indeed it was; why is it taking so long to be utilized. As it is Kenya is busy using up its arable lands e.g Kiambu to put up buildings. There is nothing wrong with the development and changing land use, but its important for Kenya to secure new lands to farm so as to increase if not maintain food production in the country. I am sure if as a country we are able to increase our food production and cost of energy, the cost of living will go down.

 

It makes no sense to double my salary and the cost of Unga goes up five times due to increased taxes. Let us address the issues deeply not just look for quick top layer solutions that are not sustainable in the long run. We may argue political leaders have hefty pay but how hefty is that pay with the mindset of 'Wanjiku'? To a 'Wanjiku', a political leader is a walking money bag that should not be seen eating at a common food joint in peace. I am sure if we reduced the cost of living and worked on the mind set of the 'Wanjikus' the political leaders would find the terms of reducing their pay favourable.