Mental health is growingly affecting teachers and the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) is planning to construct a Ksh 400 million care and medical centre for its members.
To this end, the teachers Association held a fundraising walk in four different counties including Nairobi, Migori, Kirinyaga, Machakos and Kisumu where mental health awareness interventions were conducted.
In the last two years nearly 300 teachers have had acute cases of mental health conditions
KEWOTA CEO Benta Opande has called on partners and people of goodwill to come on board in this noble project citing instances where teachers have reported to extreme actions including suicide due to lack of access to psychiatric and psychological help.
Speaking the beginning of the walk at Ulinzi Sports Centre in Nairobi, Ms Opande raised the red flag on gambling that is destroying the lives of many Kenyan teachers.
“You find a teacher losing all their earnings in a game of Aviator and because they cannot face their families empty handed, they opt to end their lives,” she said.
She suggested that all online betting games must have a questionnaire to have a financial test of fit for those who want to bet.
“Let’s have KRA on the Questionnaire to determine if these teachers are actually fit to gamble,” she said.
Speaking at the event Kenya Primary Schools Heads Heads Association (KEPSHA) National Chairman Mr Fuad Ali stressed the need to pay a closer attention to the welfare of teachers.
He noted that the well being of the teachers reflected directly on the environment of learning and better understanding for pupils.
KEWOTA national Chairperson Modesta Akaki noted that the rate at which teachers are was alarming an that help is urgent.
“Many teachers facing mental health issues have only fellow teachers to listen but these colleagues have no capacity to deal with the requisite counselling skills,” she said.
She therefore called on an urgent response to build the national response centre to deal with mental health of teachers countrywide.
Jacinta Ndegwa, the National Treasurer enumerated the various cases that have been reported but emphasised that many more haven’t.
“I appreciate the partners who have come on board already including the Old Mutual who have supported this course,” she appreciated and called upon others to join hands in completing the project.
The event that drew in hundreds of teachers and students was graced by the founder Chairperson of KEWOTA Hon. Dorothy Muthoni who today is a Member of Parliament.
She emphasised the need to have the KEWOTA Mental Health Centre saying it couldn’t have come at more apt time.
Hilda Lengarpatei, the reigning Miss KEWOTA noted that the prospects of such a centre would help many young teachers live fulfilling lives.
Head of Business at Faulu Bank, Joshua Kittony hailed KEWOTA for the initiative and pledged total support as he invited teachers to consume their products including insurance and retirement plans.
