Can teachers who feel short-changed perform?

Can teachers who feel short-changed perform?

Those who believe that half a loaf beats having no bread to put on the table would say the 18,000 teachers employed on contract last year should be thanking their lucky stars that they are no longer considered unemployment statistics.

But Ms Adalighte Nganyi, who plies the noble professional deep in Lower Yatta District, says she does not feel the least bit lucky, especially now that the cost of living has risen to stratospheric levels. Nganyi believes that whoever came up with the idea of contracts must ‘hate’ teachers, and it is not hard to see where she’s coming from.

Low morale

Many are the employees — in the public and private sectors— whose morale has plummeted after realising that, among colleagues who do the same kind of job, they are the least paid.

So even as the Government pleads penury, and the Kenya National Union of Teachers adopts a combative stance by threatening to call a strike in two months’ time, has the Education ministry bothered to investigate how these disillusioned moulders of children are performing in the classroom?

What is BBK’s policy on ‘rest’ of its clients?

At the rate banks are going out of their way to woo new customers into their halls, they would be expected to put in even more effort to keep their clients happy. But unfortunately, these financial institutions sometimes let the ball slip.

Dr Benjamin Magaregikenyi, who is based in Molo, says he was frustrated by the service he received at the Barclays Bank Nakuru branch on Wednesday at 8.30am.

"I had gone to deposit money into the UoN’s BBK account, which was application fees for a Master’s programme I intend to pursue. I queued like the rest but when I finally got to the counter, shock awaited me," he narrates.

To his surprise, Magaregikenyi was turned away by the cashier who explained that service at that hour was restricted to Business Club members. He was instructed to wait until 9am with the ‘rest’ to be served. Saying that the experience left him with a sour taste, this BBK customer is now demanding answers.

"Is it the bank’s policy to discriminate against the ‘rest of us’? Let BBK enlighten me. My contacts are 0750-483390 or magaregikenyi@yahoo.com."

Airtel subscriber ‘fed up’

Mr Patrick Wachira paid a visit to Airtel offices at Parkside Towers to buy a modem — an experience he describes as "the beginning of his woes".

"The initial application process was slowed down by poor customer care, but I persevered and finally got the gadget. However, I was unable to access the Internet for a week and only later found out the company had to carry out a credit check before activating the device. This was not mentioned when I was at Parkside," he says.

The modem’s performance also did not live up to Wachira’s expectations, describing its speed as a "big joke" unable even to open the Yahoo! home page without the window hanging. Despite several calls to Airtel’s customer service and a visit back to the customer service centre at Parkside Towers, no help was forthcoming.

Demands deposit

"In disgust, I returned the modem and cancelled the contract, despite not having received a copy of the document as earlier promised. Now I want my deposit back. The modem number was 0731-021185."

If Airtel is willing to mend fences, Wachira can be reached on phawm@yahoo.com.

KURA, when will traffic snarl-up in Eldoret end?

Eldoret resident, Mr Abraham Kiprotich, wrote to PointBlank on February 25 expressing concern at the town’s never-ending traffic jam (Are bypass plans still in the works?). On March 29, Roads Minister Franklin Bett was reminded that Abraham was still waiting for a response (Will Eldoret town be bypassed by project?)

This resident reckoned that the persistent gridlock could become a distant memory if the Kenya Urban Roads Authority acted. His thinking was informed by an advertisement in the newspapers last year calling for consultancy services for the Kapsoya bypass, which, unfortunately, was later cancelled.

Mr Bett, residents are still waiting for word when the endemic traffic snarl-ups caused by heavy commercial vehicles will grind to a halt.

Ex-staffer seeks dues from club

Mr Gideon Oloo Okumu, 57, worked for Gymkhana Kisumu for 15 years until October 2001 when he lost his job after the company was allegedly sold off. He also had to vacate his house inside the company’s premises.

Now his son is worried that ten years after he was laid off, there has been no news when Mr Okumu can expect to get his terminal dues from his former employer.

"My father is not growing any younger, and we need help from the State or any organisation to help us push for what belongs to him. We can be reached on 0712-339347, 0718-361300 or gideonoloo@yahoo.com."

Point of Order

Open letter to Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia

The Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) has been receiving complaints from visitors that the gap between the main road and our driveway has become rather steep. Since our staff like to help, they decided to pour murram to smooth the way yesterday.

Suddenly, a vehicle with city council employees swooped on them. They accused the KSPCA staff of dumping — a crime punishable by a hefty fine of Sh50,000 (incidentally, my definition of dumping is depositing rubbish).

I told them we were carrying out minor repairs and was told we needed the City Engineer’s permission to do that. They proceeded to manhandle four people into their van (two of whom are on attachment from Strathmore University) and rushed them off to City Hall.

Prisoners

I asked them to wait because if there was a fine to be paid, the ‘prisoners’ would need some money. However, I was pushed out of the way. I found out later they had also driven off with our pickup, which had the murram. Since the vehicle is insured only for our workers, I would like to know the legality of council staff driving off without KSPCA’s permission. What would happen in the event of an accident?

I also feel the aggressive and rude behaviour by the council’s employees is uncalled for. Like the police, the council is here to keep order and help the public. The askaris need to be retrained on the need for respect because we are not enemies. If we make a mistake because we do not know we are breaking the law, perhaps a warning would suffice the first time?

In fact, why doesn’t the council pursue, say, the puppy sellers at Westgate with the same zeal? These boys are breaking the law on more than one count and often sell unhealthy dogs that die. They are also unvaccinated and may be harbouring diseases such as rabies. But fortunately for the KSPCA staff, who spent three hours in the cells, the charge was reduced to littering, so the fine was not so high.

Jean Gilchrist, MBE,

Director of Animal Welfare

Dogs’ antics threaten to drive tenants barking mad

Long-time resident of Whispers estate near UNEP, Mr David Ngugi, says there is a dog that has barked "at nothing" for the last 15 years, denying tenants a good night’s sleep for years. He claim’s the animal’s owners have been asked to deal with the matter to no avail. He also requests security companies that hire out dogs to stop collecting them at 5.30am because the cacophony of howls they make is enough to drive tenants barking mad. His e-mail is davidngugingai@ymail.com.