All TSC Teachers Now Have Insurance Cover Against Covid-19

All teachers in Kenya employed under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) now have an insurance cover against Covid-19.

As schools resumed, concerns were raised over the safety of both the teachers and the learners as the second wave of Covid-19 seemed to be taking shape.

To ensure that teachers’ medical expenses are covered in the event they contract Covid-19, TSC has negotiated with Minet Kenya to cover all the teachers who will seek treatment for the virus.

“We are also working closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to provide psycho-social support to teachers that may be in need of the services owing to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said TSC in a statement.

On its part, Minet Kenya has said that the welfare of all its members under TSC will always come first and said that the number of health facilities accepting Minet had been increased to more than 500.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has a workforce of 337,432 teachers in about 10,000 primary and secondary schools. Minet provides medical cover to all of them.

At the same time, TSC is planning to employ about 10,000 teachers on a contractual basis to help with the high number of learners in public schools.

While announcing the opening of schools, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered teachers who were 58 years and above to “work remotely” for they were at higher risk of contracting Covid-19.

According to data from TSC, the number of teachers who had contracted Covid-19 stood at 345, that being 0.10% of the total number of teachers in the country.

The number of teachers who have died from Covid-19 according to TSC is 36. A total of 209 teachers have recovered from the virus while 9 are hospitalized. About 92 are on home-based care.

“Teachers are encouraged to ensure that all Covid-19 protocols are strictly adhered to. Learners must wear masks at all times,” said TSC.

READ: Kenya Has Lost 36 Teachers To COVID-19 Since Outbreak