TSC Reveals Number of Teachers Lost to Covid-19

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Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia addresses the media in January 2020 in Nairobi
File

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has released statistics detailing the effect of Covid-19 on teachers since the start of the pandemic in March, 2020.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia on January 9, 2020, revealed that at least 36 teachers have died from Covid-19 in the course of the pandemic.

A report by the commission indicated there has been 345 confirmed cases of the virus among teachers in the country. Out of this, 209 teachers have since recovered from the virus, while 9 are still hospitalised.

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia addresses National Assembly's education committee on February 19, 2020.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia addresses National Assembly's education committee on February 19, 2020.
Daily Nation

TSC further revealed that 92 teachers are currently under the home based care programme,adding that 159 of the cases are male, while 186 are female.

After the resumption of learning across the country on January 4, 2020, TSC expressed concerns regarding the safety of teachers and learners in schools. Macharia described teachers as super spreaders of the virus during this period.

According to TSC, there are 337,432 teachers in the country serving more than 30,000 public primary and post-primary school.

Macharia however assured that the commission will liaise with all relevant authorities to ensure safety for teachers and learners as the country battles the pandemic.

The TSC boss further revealed that the commission had negotiated for medical insurance cover with provider, Minet, so as to cover all teachers who may contract the virus.

"The commission's field officers are also working with stakeholders in the health sector to provide psycho-social support to all teachers who may require the service," Macharia stated.

The TSC CEO advised that teachers aged above 58 adhere to set MoH guidelines and work from home. She assured that the commission would not sack any teachers with underlying conditions for working from home.

Kenya has more than 25,000 teachers who are over 58 years.

The report by TSC proceeds an announcement by Ministry of Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi assuring that teachers in the country would be among the first to receive the Covid-19 vaccine jab.

"Teachers are frontline workers and will receive vaccines once we roll them out," Mwangangi had stated.

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A Kenyan teacher with pupils in class
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