The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Nakuru branch has today condemned the use of BVR machines to monitor teachers in schools.
In a press statement issued by the branch executive secretary Gakau Mbugua, chairman Sammy Kambo and treasurer Theuri Rukwaro in Nakuru, the union has said that continued use of the machines will have far reaching health effects on the users.
They said that the machines use laser beam radiation whose effects include abnormality in the formation of DNA and cancer.
While pointing out that stakeholders were not involved while coming up with the decision to use the machines, the officials questioned modalities that were used to ascertain qualities and standards of the machines as well as the procurement process.
The officials observed that teachers reporting times do not always start at 8am and end at 5pm like in other work places. They added that teachers in boarding schools report at 6am and leave at 10pm after night preps.
Gakau said that it is known that most teachers work during weekends without overtime allowance.
“These kits are only meant to witch hunt and intimidate teachers. We have and will continue to caution teachers against risking their health by using the machines,” Gakau added.
Kambo said that they are various ways of monitoring teachers like using the heads of department without necessarily subjecting them to health risks by using BVR machines.
“This machines will subject parents to unnecessary monetary burden since the machines were not factored in school budgets. This could be a reason why most schools are charging hefty fees,” noted Rukwaro.
Teachers have now been asked to report incidences in which they are forced to use the machines to the union for appropriate action.
Some of the schools in which the machines are already being used include Nakuru, Afraha and Moi Secondary Schools.