Teacher transfers leaving wives with nobody to take care of ‘servers’ - Matiang’i

 The National Treasurer of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) John Matiang’i [Photo: James Omoro]

Teachers around the country are a worried lot, thanks to the new policy of delocalisation.

It has emerged that the new policy is hurting families as it denies married teachers who are transferred into far-flung time to “open servers” in their marriages.

The delocalisation policy was introduced by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to make teachers work outside their home counties.

The National Treasurer of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) John Matiang’i, and the union’s Executive Secretary for Suba branch Richard Ng’ongo, are decrying the negative impact it has had on teachers’ marriages.

According to Matiang’i, the policy keeps teachers from their wives for long periods. This applies to both male and female teachers, who are separated from their spouses.

This leaves their wives with nobody to take care of their “servers” (sexual needs).

“My worry is that teachers are separated from their families for a very long time. But the big issue here is about who takes care of the ‘server’ in their absence?” Matiang’i asked.

Matiang’i was addressing teachers at Moi Girls Sindo Secondary School during the Knut Suba branch annual general meeting. He said the wife of teachers were suffering in the absence of their husbands.

He claimed that the policy was introduced to frustrate teachers by denying them their conjugal rights.

“Teachers cannot give birth and enjoy life with their wives effectively due to delocalisation. This policy does not add any value to teachers,” Matiang’i added.

In his view, the policy has led to low morale among teachers, which will translate to deteriorating education standards and poor performance by students.

“We cannot allow the TSC to continue frustrating teachers using this bad policy. They must stop it,” he warned.

According to Ng’ongo, the delocalisation policy is putting teachers’ marriages and families at risk.

“The moment you take a teacher to Mombasa and leave their wife in Suba, you should not expect anything good. That disconnect can lead to strains and breakage of marriages,” said Ng’ongo.

He added that the women left behind are not animals that will feed and survive on grass in the absence of their husbands.

The executive secretary explained that good performance by teachers in class depends on the stability of their families.

“We condemn the delocalisation policy. Abolishing it will lead to improved and better service delivery,” he said.

The officials dismissed the argument that delocalisation of teachers helps to promote national integration.