Sigomere Zone Teachers Welfare Marks Mental Health Month

Sigomere Zone Teachers Welfare marked Mental Health Awareness Month with its 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), highlighting the importance of emotional support, unity, and mental wellness among teachers. 

The AGM was held at Got Osimbo Girls Secondary School in Ugunja Constituency and brought together teachers from different institutions within Sigomere Zone.

 

 

The welfare, which currently has close to 400 members drawn from primary schools, secondary schools, retired teachers and teachers abroad, was formed two years ago after teachers realized they only came together during moments of tragedy such as death or bereavement.

Before the formation of the welfare, teachers within the zone relied on printed proformas circulated in schools whenever a colleague lost a loved one. Members would contribute small amounts of money to support bereaved families, but there was little interaction among teachers themselves.

With the emergence of smartphones and social media platforms, teachers later created WhatsApp groups that improved communication and interaction among members. This later inspired the formation of a structured welfare group guided by rules and regulations.

Speaking during the AGM, the Chairperson of Sigomere Zone Teachers Welfare, Athanas Okeda, said the walfare has become an important pillar in supporting teachers emotionally during difficult moments such as illness, bereavement, stress, and mental health challenges.

“The welfare has helped us emotionally during difficult moments like illness, bereavement, stress and mental health challenges. It has also promoted unity, teamwork and professional development among teachers,” said Okeda.

He added that apart from financial support, the welfare has helped promote advocacy by representing members’ concerns, encouraging savings, and recognizing teachers’ efforts to boost morale and motivation.

The AGM’s guest speaker, Mr. Philemon Konaka from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, emphasized the importance of welfare groups in the teaching profession, noting that teachers cannot succeed while living in isolation.

“You can never live in isolation or walk alone and succeed. Teachers are the focal point where all other professions come from and the future of a nation is in the hands of teachers,” said Mr. Konaka.

He urged stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of teachers and allow them to perform their duties professionally without politicizing the education sector.

On mental health, Mr. Konaka said the wellbeing of teachers can improve if the challenges affecting them are addressed through strategic and inclusive solutions developed through public participation.

 

He also encouraged young teachers to remain positive despite the challenges they face and advised them to start preparing for retirement early enough.

Mr. Konaka further encouraged teachers who have not joined welfare groups to consider becoming members, saying colleagues often form the closest support system during difficult times.

Members who attended the AGM expressed satisfaction with the progress the welfare has made within its two years of existence.

Sheryl Bwire from Tingare Secondary School praised the leadership for its commitment in ensuring the welfare remains united and strong. However, she noted that one of the biggest challenges facing the group is members defaulting on contributions.

“Some members register but fail to contribute when a member is bereaved, while other members contribute well and when they are bereaved, they receive support from the welfare, but afterwards they stop contributing to support other members,” said Bwire.

She, however, expressed optimism that the welfare would continue growing stronger in the coming years.

During the AGM, members resolved that anyone who misses three contributions will automatically be removed from the welfare group as a way of improving accountability and commitment among members.

Other resolutions discussed included plans to officially register the welfare with the Social Services Department, opening an official bank account and pay bill number, and requesting members to update their contact details with the secretary to improve communication.

Speaking on behalf of Ugunja Constituency Member of Parliament Moses Omondi, Constituency Manager Mr. Gordon Pesa, who represented the MP during the AGM held at Got Osimbo Girls Secondary School, thanked head teachers for managing schools well and maintaining a conducive learning environment.

Mr. Pesa conveyed the MP’s commitment to continue working closely with teachers to improve the education sector through construction of classrooms and creating a better working environment for teachers.

He further said the MP was ready to collaborate with the Sigomere Zone Teachers Welfare to ensure teachers are supported physically, mentally, and emotionally as they carry out their duties.

Despite challenges such as low meeting attendance, communication gaps, and defaulting on contributions, members remained optimistic that the welfare would continue growing stronger and become a model support system for teachers in the region.

The AGM not only marked two years of existence for Sigomere Zone Teachers Welfare but also highlighted the growing need for mental health support, unity, and collective responsibility among teachers in society.

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