Kakamega takes lead in number of teachers preying on vulnerable school girls

During last year’s national exams, the country registered a high number in teen mothers, with many sitting for exams either from hospitals, or someone waiting outside with a baby awaiting breastfeeding. But who should be blamed for such cases? The ministry of Education had put on spot teachers who involve themselves in defilements. According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kakamega county leads in the number of teachers preying on vulnerable school girls.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia during the launch of Teacher Professional Development at Crowne Plaza on April 16, 2018.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia in a shocking revelation before the Senate on Wednesday, said the commission has sent home 1,077 teachers found to have defiled learners in the last eight years.

Out of the 1,077 dismissed teachers, Kakamega County takes the lead with 88 teachers dismissed followed by Kisii and Homabay counties with 61 and 60 cases respectively.

Macharia was, however, quick to defend teachers from claims that they contribute more towards teenage pregnancies among underage learners.

“Most of the cases involved children from day schools, it, therefore, shows that sex did not happen in schools. And most of the births do occur between September and October pointing further to the fact that they got pregnant during holidays,” Macharia said.

“The cases of teachers defiling students account for a minimal percentage, about two per cent. General members of the public continue to prey on learners for sex and reward the child victims with little favours.”

The Commission has also deregistered a total of 279 teachers from the register of teachers in the same period.

Interestingly, all the 1,077 teachers interdicted so far are all males.

 A teacher once deregistered by the TSC, is blacklisted and cannot teach or employed anywhere in Kenya.

“During the 2010-2018 period, the commission interdicted and dismissed from the register of teachers, there were those who were of immoral behaviour towards learners,” Macharia said.

Wajir and Mandera counties recorded the least number of defilement cases with only one case each reported since 2010.

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