Disillusioned teachers flee to the US in search of greener pastures

Inadequate pay, demotivation, dejection, and unbearable working conditions are some of the reasons many teachers in the country are seeking better opportunities abroad.

Despite obtaining government jobs, many teachers have voiced concerns about insecurity and poor policies, which they claim adversely affect their professional lives.

For Silvia Wanjiru, her teaching career started in January 1987, and for decades, she dedicated herself to elementary education without receiving a single promotion against her wishes.

In 2013, Wanjiru returned to school and earned her degree in a bid to secure a promotion by her employer, the Teachers Service Commission, but that did not happen.

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Teachers who spoke to The Standard decried that the pay disparity between them and other civil servants is too wide, a situation that continues to impoverish tutors despite their crucial role in shaping the country’s future.

Another dedicated educator, Beatrice Wanjiku, in her mid-50s, is also set to relocate to the US. She has been a special education teacher for over 30 years, focusing on children with autism.

Despite her dedication, Wanjiku has struggled with inadequate income.

"I hope the US infrastructure to handle special kids is better than here in Kenya," she says while optimistic to the opportunities ahead.

Speaking in Ruiru while signing contracts after securing well-paying jobs in America, the educators called on the government to streamline and better teachers' remuneration to reduce the exodus that will eventually deprive the country of its brilliant minds which might lower the quality of education offered to learners.

For a teacher to qualify for the available jobs abroad, one must have a degree in education, be able to handle the discipline of learners in the US education culture, and exhibit passion for working in a new environment.

Felix Wanyaga, who has taught for about six years, is another happy teacher elated to relocate to the USA for greener pastures.

"Many Kenyans are relocating to other countries due to poor pay," he says, calling on the government to consider paying teachers well to prevent the loss of labour skills to other countries.

In a move that could destabilize the sector, the mass exodus, coupled with the number of teachers who retire and or die every month could further strain the sector that is already facing a huge shortage of over 100,000 tutors.

According to Dr Peter Ruhiri, Chief Executive Officer, Pesuah International, there is a shortage of trained teachers in US where he taught for over 20 years.

Ruhiri started the agency three years ago to help African teachers move to America for better opportunities.

"One hundred teachers from Africa will be leaving Kenya on 30th July to the USA, and out of them, 70 will be from Kenya," he says.

While addressing the teachers at a hotel in Ruiru after signing the contracts in preparation for their journey next month, Ruhiri reiterated that teachers in the United States are well-enumerated, especially in Baltimore, where the whole group will be heading.

"The teachers will include those who teach in elementary and high school. They will be earning Ksh400,000 per month, while those with a master's degree and over ten years of experience will earn over Ksh1 million a month," Ruhiri stated while emphasising that opportunities will not only better teachers' lives but also bring revenue to Kenya.

“More teachers will be enrolled in the programme next year once more teaching opportunities arise,” he added.

The programme started with 10 teachers from Kenya and 30 others from other African countries. But due to high demand, thousands more are seeking to relocate. Ruhiri's organization is working towards recruiting more teachers to work in US district schools facing shortages.

Of the estimated 8.1 million teachers in the United States, approximately 857,200 are immigrant teachers, with nearly half of those being post-secondary teachers.