Teaching is noble profession, but not in Kenya. It’s next to impossibility for any Kenyan teacher to own a Mercedes Benz, Range Rover, Jaguar, Toyota V8 or Chrysler. It’s not because they are religious enough or so generous to God that they don’t leave enough to buy such luxury cars, but it’s because they are subjected to poverty by the government.
A degree in education is a direct ticket to poverty, and this is why. Imagine a primary teacher earns Ksh 20,000 while a high school teacher earns Ksh 40,000.The highest teacher in Kenya earns monthly salary of Ksh 200,000.To buy a Toyota V8-a used one-you require at least Ksh8 million. Even if you are a magician in saving, how many years will it take you to save Ksh 8 million.
Ever since I started interacting with teachers I have always noted this character. A newly employed teacher is paid a starting salary of Ksh35, 0000.And once he is employed, he goes for a loan. To repay the loan takes at least 5 years. So in five years, your salary will be sliced to worrying figures.
Teachers confess that if you don’t have a good project to invest the loan money, chances are that you will retire without any meaningful investment. In short, as a teacher you have only a single chance to turn around your life.
Teachers struggle a lot, especially those with families. Research show that on average a teacher spends Ksh200 per day, which qualify them to be categorized with hawkers. No teacher in Kenya spends more than Ksh500 on lunch, unless the money is from a donation.
We have mentioned four luxury cars, which if you own them then you are rich. The cost of a brand new Chrysler is Ksh12 million, brand new jaguar car costs not more than Ksh8 million while a Range Rover Sports costs not more than Ksh6 million. If you spot a teacher with any of the listed vehicles, then heaven is a reality for all of us.Now,it means that 100% of teachers in Kenya are poor, if we measure them based on the car brands they own.
When I see an innocent Kenyan enrolling for a degree in education, I sympathize with him because of what I know he will face after school. This degree course is among the worse.First, you will take at least 3 years to secure a permanent job.Secondly, the salary you will earn will not even be enough to sustain the lifestyle of an average Kenyan.
To conclude, if you have a dream, let it not be that of becoming a teacher-you better become a nurse.