The Kakamega Central teachers walked around the town chanting, singing cheering the KNUT national office in the ongoing national teacher's strike. [PHOTO | John Kabaka | File]

KNUT Executive Secretary Bungoma South District Kenneth Nganga has called upon the government to quickly intervene and resolve the strike planned by teachers this month.

In an exclusive interview with West Fm in his office, Nganga said the union of teachers will be meeting on Thursday 5th July 2012 to deliberate on the date of the strike.

Ngangah complained of the poor salaries teachers continue to get yet the country’s economy has improved referring to the previous budget read by Minister for Finance Robinson Njeru Githae which has been the highest so far the country has ever had an indication of improvement in the country’s economy.

He also noted that due to the continued escalating food prices, most of the teachers have to go through a lot of hardship to ensure they supplement for their family need from the slim salary.

Minister Nganga insisted that the last time teachers’ salary was increased was 1997 while the other civil servants salary continues to be revived almost annually.

He maintained that teachers need an increment of 10% house allowance, 30% medical allowance, and 30% hardship allowance of the basic salary.

Ngangah also complained of shortage of teachers in the country especially in Bungoma South District giving an of Khayo primary school which has a total of 14 streams with only 6 teachers. 

He also noted that the last time government employed teachers in the region was in February 2012 and from that time they have lost close to 20 teachers with no even one employed to refill the vacancies.

He said that the only way vision 2030 could be achieved in the country was through proper investment in the education sector by increasing the number of teachers and proper payment.