Following our previous exposé on the troubling working conditions at Good Testimony School, more teachers and concerned parties have come forward, shedding light on the ongoing struggles within the institution.
In the initial report, we spotlighted severe claims of mistreatment, mental distress, and exploitation of staff.
Teachers described an environment of constant pressure, working from Monday to Saturday and sacrificing personal and family time.
There were issues with pay deductions for trivial matters such as uniform repairs and even personal bereavements.
Since that report, additional developments have emerged.
Temporary Break: Teachers will enjoy a brief break from their demanding work schedules. Staff members are now on a break that will run until November 26, 2024, with a mandatory CDC training session planned for their return.
This decision was in response to the public attention brought by our report.
It seems that those defending the school’s practices may have been hesitant to speak out for fear of retaliation, but the pressure from the public and media has now led to this temporary pause in the rigorous working schedule.
Despite the positive step of offering a break, more troubling details have emerged.
Teachers are now required to pay for matching outfits with the school badge.
One teacher shared that those earning Ksh 20,000 still have to pay Ksh 3,500 for a matching outfit, which only strains their already limited incomes.
There are also ongoing complaints about unfair financial penalties related to student behavior.
For instance, teachers report that they deduct their pay at the end of the term if a student loses a book, even if it occurs at home.
This policy appears to place the blame on staff even when the children are not on school premises.
Although there have been some positive changes, it is still evident that more action is required to address the systemic issues at Good Testimony.
As always, we will continue to monitor this story and bring you updates as new information surfaces.
