Teachers have been urged to show compassion and exercise discretion when dealing with pupils and students from underprivileged backgrounds who lack basic personal necessities such as underwear and sanitary towels.
Nakuru Deputy County Commissioner, David Mulei, raised concern over incidents where some teachers humiliate needy learners in classrooms, during school parades, and even in staff rooms.
Speaking while flagging off the second phase of the Free Sanitary Towels Distribution programme for public schools in the county, Mulei warned that stern disciplinary action would be taken against any teacher found shaming students.
He cited a recent case at Kenana Comprehensive School in Njoro Sub-County, where two sisters from a needy family were paraded in the staff room for not wearing panties, describing the act as degrading and unacceptable.
“The role of teachers is to nurture and protect learners, not embarrass them,” Mulei said. “Schools should implement discreet assistance programmes and train staff on empathy and sensitivity. Respect and dignity must remain at the heart of every child’s learning experience.”
He cautioned that humiliating learners could lead to poor academic performance, school dropouts, and mental health challenges.
The Free Sanitary Towels Distribution initiative, spearheaded by the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) under the office of the County Woman Representative, aims to promote menstrual hygiene and keep girls in school.
Mulei praised the programme, coordinated in Nakuru by Woman Representative Liza Chelule, as a noble effort that addresses absenteeism and teenage pregnancies.
“Lack of sanitary towels used to cause absenteeism of three to five days each month and contributed to teenage pregnancies. This initiative is a major step in ensuring girls stay in school,” he said.
Nakuru County Woman Representative’s Office Manager, Peter Musonik, said the programme seeks to ensure dignity for all school-going girls while reducing menstrual stigma. He added that plans are underway to include underwear for both boys and girls in future distributions.
“There are high poverty levels in some communities, and many learners lack basic items like underwear,” Musonik said.
Nakuru County NGAAF Coordinator, Daniel Njogu, reiterated that sanitary towels are an essential part of a girl’s clothing and assured beneficiaries that all supplies would be distributed before the end of the school term.
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