Frozen Pay, Artifical Shortages, and a Lack of Confidence

The first page of today’s Daily Nation shares definite prayer needs, yet I find it difficult to know how to guide your prayers. “It’s all-out battle as teachers’ pay frozen” shares the government’s latest response – withholding salaries, evicting teachers from staff housing and sackings – to striking teachers who “are demanding SH19.2 billion in salary increases effective July 1 for one year, but the government has offered Sh17.3 billion payable in three years from the same date.”

In “Parents seek private tuition for children” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, p.6), one mother whose “child will be sitting for KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) this year,” the national exam for kids in Class (grade) Eight, is concerned that the strike will affect her child’s ability to do well on the exam late this year. This article notes that “More than 19,000 primary schools have been affected by the standoff that has now entered its second week.”

What is not noted in these articles is that those most affected by the strikes are the poorer kids of Kenya – the ones whose parents cannot afford the costs of private schools where teachers are not striking. The only chance these kids have of continuing their education after primary school is to do well enough on the national exam to be accepted into less costly national high schools. And unlike kids from wealthier homes, they cannot afford extra tutoring to prepare for the exam.

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that teachers in Kenyan government schools are underpaid and many cannot survive on their salaries. It is also accepted that the government will have difficulty meeting the demands. Yet, confidence in the government is low as they deal with many problems. People can understand that the current famine is the result of drought and last year’s post-election crisis, but they also know that there is an additional reason for the shortage of corn meal and dried corn, the staple food items for many Kenyans. The second cover article in today’s Daily Nation, “Board chiefs sacked in bid to tame maize crisis,” shares that yesterday the government sacked most of the directors of the “State-owned marketing body and the biggest buyer of local maize … The move is meant to contain rampant corruption in the grain sector … aimed at ending the artificial shortage created by mismanagement of maize stocks by the board and politicians.”

So how am I praying? I’m praying that solutions will be found that will allow the teachers to return quickly to their classes with confidence in their government and with a greater assurance that they will receive adequate salaries to provide for their and their families’ needs. I am praying that the Kenyan government will meet the needs of all her citizens, not just a few who desire personal riches and power. I am praying that the Christians among the teachers and within government will rely upon their Father’s guidance and be true ambassadors of His love, peace and salvation. I am also praying for brighter futures for the poor of Kenya – especially that they will come to know and fully claim our Saviour’s love and joy. Also, as I praise God for the rain we received in Nairobi last night, I am praying that these are good rains that will lead to a great rainy season (March-June) and not bad rains that come too early for great harvests. Bert Yates
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“STRIKE: It’s all-out battle as teachers’ pay frozen” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, pp.1-2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/520408/-/u1sfti/-/index.html
“Board chiefs sacked in bid to tame maize crisis” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, pp.1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/520402/-/u1sftc/-/index.html
“FOOD SHORTAGE: Maize price increase ruled out” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, p.5) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/520376/-/u1sf87/-/index.html