One of Mwala teachers being awarded by Kenya Connect for her exemplary performance. Photo by Virginia Siebella. 
By Virginia Siebella
As the world continues to celebrate teachers for their transformative role in shaping lives and fostering learning, many Kenyan educators still face formidable challenges in their day-to-day work.
In Machakos County, teachers from Mwala Constituency were recently honoured for their outstanding contributions to education despite persistent obstacles such as drought, inadequate resources, and rising cases of teenage pregnancies.
The ceremony, organized by the education-focused organization Kenya Connect, sought to recognize teachers who have made remarkable strides in promoting creativity, technology, and science in their classrooms.
Speaking during the event, James Musyoka, Executive Director and Co-founder of Kenya Connect, underscored the critical role teachers play in nurturing young minds and building a stronger nation.
“The child sits at the centre of our work, and we know that without empowering the teacher, we cannot empower the child,” said Musyoka. “Education is key to transforming our country’s economic landscape. If we fail to invest in it, the future of our nation is not bright.”
He called upon education stakeholders to invest more in capacity building and technological training for teachers to enable them to deliver 21st-century learning effectively.
“Competency-Based Education requires more resources,” Musyoka added. “We need to provide the necessary support so that both teachers and learners can thrive.”
Despite their commitment, teachers in Mwala continue to grapple with the challenges of implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Teacher Evelyn Kimeta expressed concern over the lack of adequate teaching and learning materials, which she said hampers the successful execution of CBC.
“CBC is about learning by doing, and that becomes difficult without resources,” said Kimeta. “When the government does not provide enough, the burden shifts to parents who are already stretched.”
She also lamented the shortage of teaching personnel, noting that the few available educators are overwhelmed.
“With too much workload, a teacher cannot deliver effectively,” she added. “We appeal to the government to continue employing more teachers to ease this pressure.”
In his remarks, Abunga Bernard, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director for Mwala Sub-county, emphasized the importance of technology in modern teaching.
“Any teacher who fails to embrace technology today risks being left behind,” he warned. “Teachers are role models and mentors who shape our learners to fit into society. We celebrate them for their invaluable service, right from the Early Childhood Development level.”
Bernard also highlighted the Commission’s commitment to recognizing exemplary teachers who demonstrate leadership and innovative teaching methods.
During the event, Veronica Muthusi, a parent, urged her fellow parents to play a more active role in guiding and mentoring their children, citing the rise in school unrest and indiscipline cases.
“We are seeing an outcry over frequent school strikes,” she said. “I urge parents to be role models to our learners. Let’s discipline them, talk to them, and offer guidance and counseling so that they can settle in school and work towards a better future.”
Muthusi reminded students that education remains their most valuable inheritance.
“The best thing you can get from your parents is a good certificate,” she told the learners. “It can enable you to be employed or even start your own business. Work hard and obey school rules.”
Despite the numerous hurdles, the spirit of resilience among teachers in Mwala remains strong. Their innovation, commitment, and determination continue to inspire hope for a more inclusive and equitable education system in Kenya.
As the world celebrates teachers, their story in Mwala stands as a powerful reminder that true transformation in education begins with those who dedicate their lives to lighting the path for others.
