Day shines light on teachers' resilience, sacrifice and legacy

Teachers resilience in classrooms is evident in the face of low pay, shifting policies, poor medical cover and sheer lack appreciation from the stakeholders.

As thousands of tutors gather in Nairobi today to mark World Teachers’ Day, the story of the men and women shaping the country’s future is one of endurance, selflessness, and quiet heroism.

As former Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia once remarked, “Teachers are the heartbeat of education. If they lose motivation, the entire education system collapses.”

Amid under funding, overcrowded classrooms, stagnating careers, and a rising tide of indiscipline among learners, thousands of teachers across the country still show up every morning, determined to make a difference in the life of a child.

One such teacher, Jepkosgei Chemoiwa, who teaches Physics and Mathematics at Emining Boys’ High School in Baringo, stands as a beacon of excellence.

Recently honoured with the 2025 African Union Continental Best Teacher Award, Chemoiwa’s story embodies the spirit of thousands of her colleagues who continue to work under difficult conditions.

Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei described teachers as the “engine that drives the nation”, adding: “Every teacher who walks into a classroom carries the weight of the nation’s future on their shoulders. We celebrate not just their work, but their resilience, patience, and unyielding faith in the power of education.”

This year’s World Teachers’ Day is celebrated under the theme “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession”, with a global focus on valuing cooperation and collective responsibility in education systems.

Yet in Kenya, the most urgent needs remain dignity, fairness, and support.

President William Ruto recently acknowledged that the medical cover and allowances provided to teachers remain below those of their civil service counterparts. “We are aware that teachers deserve better terms,” he said, pledging to review the disparities in the coming months. 

“Access to inpatient services by teachers is lower than the market. Data on your medical scheme shows that, on average, it costs Sh117,000 per inpatient visit, whereas the market average is Sh100,000 and for civil servants it is Sh98,000. That means you pay more on every visit, so we cannot continue with this medical cover as it is,” the President stated.

Despite innovations in teaching and government promises of reform, many teachers say there is little to celebrate. Teachers argue that such pledges have become familiar refrains, rarely implemented. From overcrowded classrooms and inadequate teaching materials to delayed promotions and stagnant salaries, teacher morale continues to dwindle.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) continue to press the government to honour its commitments under collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).

Many of these agreements have been signed but remain either unimplemented or partially fulfilled, leaving teachers feeling betrayed.

“We have sacrificed enough. Teachers are overworked and underpaid. It’s disheartening that a profession that moulds every other career in the country is treated as second-class,” said Collins Oyuu, Knut Secretary-General.

His Kuppet counterpart Akello Misori echoed the concern, warning that “teachers are reaching breaking point” due to delayed promotions and inadequate housing and medical allowances.

“How do you expect a teacher earning less than Sh30,000 to survive in this economy?” he posed.

The Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association and Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association have also expressed concern over deteriorating infrastructure and chronic underfunding.Head teachers, particularly in boarding institutions, say they are struggling to keep students in school because the government has repeatedly delayed capitation funds. Schools, for example, are due to close in two weeks, yet funding for this term has not been released.

Many schools now rely on fundraising or personal contributions from teachers to stay operational.

“Sub-county schools, which rely solely on government funding, bear the greatest burden when capitation is delayed. This means principals cannot meet basic running costs,” said Kuria.

In rural Turkana, teachers brave scorching heat and long distances to reach their schools, often teaching under trees.

“The government wants to re-categorise hardship areas to save Sh6 billion. This will deny many teachers the allowances they have been enjoying,” warned Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.

In Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asal) regions, teachers face insecurity, floods, and learners who often attend school on empty stomachs.

“I’ve been teaching for 22 years and have never been promoted. Sometimes you feel forgotten. But when a student returns years later to say, ‘You changed my life,’ that’s the only reward that keeps you going,” said Mary Achieng, a primary school teacher in Siaya.

Teachers are increasingly dealing with indiscipline, drug abuse, mental health issues, and uncooperative parents. Many lament that discipline in schools has deteriorated, while community respect for teachers has waned.

“Parents no longer support teachers like before. When a teacher corrects a student, parents rush to social media or the police. It’s discouraging,” says Peter Njoroge, a teacher.