A Kenyan teacher has sparked widespread debate online after opening up about her dramatic exit from a teaching job in Nairobi’s bustling Eastleigh estate, citing rampant indiscipline among students and a toxic working environment.
In a candid and humorous social media post, the teacher identified as Adh Is narrated her experience, painting a chaotic picture of classroom life that ultimately pushed her to walk away from the profession, at least temporarily.
Eastleigh, often referred to as “Little Mogadishu,” is known for its vibrant business activity and diverse community, but the teacher claims that managing students in one of the local schools proved overwhelming.
According to her, basic classroom order was nearly impossible to maintain.
Students reportedly showed little regard for authority, with some casually placing their feet on desks during lessons.
“Nikichapa hustle pale Eastleigh, unaingia class na miguu ziko juu ya viti😂. Barua unaandikiwa ati teacher ukinikubali nakununulia iPhone, niko na pesa. You only have to say yes😁 The girls be like mwalimu mimi nangoja tu kuolewa wazazi wako na pesa. Niko shule kwa sababu wameniambia I pass time 😂. Mwingine dream yake ni kuolewa na pirate😁 kidogo kidogo Mwalimu mimi next month naenda Canada .Halafu shida ni, usiwakazie, usiwaangushe mtihani or be their enemy. You’ll be sacked immediately 😂😂. Mimi kuna siku nilienda kwa ofisi ya director and lied that I was going to pick my sick son from school. The moment I got home, I texted him and asked him to replace me immediately because there was no way I was going to teach indisciplined learners and relate with unprofessional colleagues 😂. That was the first time I told myself that ‘ I know my worth’. I have ‘seen many’ in this life😂” she wrote
Her narration suggests that some students openly attempted to bribe her with promises of expensive gifts, while others expressed little interest in education, claiming they were only in school to pass time before marriage or relocation abroad.
More troubling, however, was her allegation that school management discouraged strict discipline.
She claimed teachers risked losing their jobs if they failed students or enforced rules too firmly, creating an environment where maintaining standards became nearly impossible.
The breaking point came when she allegedly fabricated an excuse about picking up her sick son, only to use the opportunity to quit.
She later texted the school director, asking to be replaced immediately.
Her story has since gone viral, drawing mixed reactions from Kenyans online.
While some sympathized with her frustrations and criticized declining discipline in certain schools, others cautioned against generalizing an entire community based on one experience.
Education experts note that classroom discipline challenges are not unique to Eastleigh and often stem from broader systemic issues, including parental influence, school policies, and socio-economic dynamics.
Still, the teacher’s bold declaration, “I know my worth” has resonated with many professionals who feel undervalued in difficult work environments.
As conversations continue online, her story has reignited discussions about teacher welfare, student discipline, and the pressures facing educators in urban schools across Kenya.
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