In a recent forum with principals and heads of institutions from Kisumu County, KEWOTA officers had a conversation that showed that heads of institutions recognise the value and importance of KEWOTA, and have been advising their teachers to join KEWOTA, the professional body that supports the welfare of teachers.
“As the head of the Institution, you want the best outcome for your learners. If you want the best outcome for your learners, then your teachers must perform at their best level. This means that the teacher must be supported. You cannot perform if your welfare is not in good condition. We have seen KEWOTA support mental health, set up breastfeeding centres and come up with very valuable products. Teachers who are members of KEWOTA have a higher performance rate, and this comes down to how the teacher is supported,” remarked one of the principals.
The Institution heads also mentioned and commended the Mwalimu AI program by KEWOTA and METIS, and noted that KEWOTA members who use the program have improved significantly when it comes to meeting deadlines, preparing professional documents and accurate lesson plans.
KEWOTA CEO Benter Opande believes that the quality of education in the nation highly depends on how the welfare of the teacher in the grassroots level is supported. That is why every month, there are new programs targeting the welfare of teachers.
Testimonials from principals and teachers confirm that KEWOTA has gradually grown to prove its vision for a future of boundless development opportunities for every woman teacher in Kenya. Every day, KEWOTA works tirelessly to provide integrated support to women teachers for their professional growth and economic development.
KEWOTA has a team of highly experienced research and strategy development experts whose sole mission is to engage with teachers, visit grassroots and identify the pain points of teachers, and through consultation with teachers and data analysis, they come up with strategies for programs for teachers.
The programs KEWOTA has developed for teachers are countless. With the recent Mwalimu AI program being the trending buzz in the education sector, there is the Mwalimu Na Tank program, where teachers are getting high-quality tanks delivered from the main Kentank factory directly to teachers’ homes. The tanks are delivered at a rate subsidised only for KEWOTA members, and they get to pay in installments completely interest-free. According to KEWOTA teacher support and follow-up departments, teachers are making high income from these tanks through water reselling, farming and other ventures. The tanks are also available to women’s groups within the KEWOTA community. Heads of Institutions said that KEWOTA has also been supporting schools with tanks, especially in areas with water scarcity.
The KEWOTA Laptop program was also mentioned as one of the impact drivers when it comes to the productivity of teachers and schools. At a time when everything in the world is moving digital, many schools in Kenya are still lagging behind in digital transformation. KEWOTA is transforming this through affordable laptops. KEWOTA’s laptops come programmed for use in teaching and learning, including digitized CBC compliant text books, an online tutoring program that also helps teachers earn income, and the Mwalimu AI program by Amal Labs. Through the laptops, KEWOTA members also have access to online short courses with certification.
Table banking programs, Insurance, and business support are also programs driving the high success rate of teachers who are KEWOTA members. KEWOTA not only supports women teachers, but male teachers also have a chapter in KEWOTA.
It is worth noting that KEWOTA is also the only organisation that does not part with the teacher after they retire. KEWOTA has a retired teachers department that supports retired teachers through table banking, development projects, tanks, and the only program in Kenya where KEWOTA pays for Social Health Insurance Cover for retired teachers.
The benefits above are just a fraction of what KEWOTA members benefit from. Being a KEWOTA member, a teacher has a wide array of benefits, and all these in turn make the teacher more effective and well supported, and this is the reason why heads of institutions recommend their teachers to join and be part of the KEWOTA welfare outfit.