The Office of the Government Spokesperson, led by Isaac Mwaura, released a statement late Sunday night reassuring parents that their children’s welfare would be safeguarded as schools reopen on Monday, August 26, 2024.
This assurance followed a meeting between the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESHA).
The government encouraged parents to prepare their children for the beginning of the third term, indicating that necessary measures are in place to ensure a smooth and secure return to school.
The notice from the Office of the Government Spokesperson also addressed concerns about the looming teachers’ strike, which has arisen from a labor dispute between teachers’ unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
It stated, “With regard to the looming teachers’ strike occasioned by the labor dispute between teachers’ unions and the TSC, KESSHA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the TSC, would wish to assure all the parents and learners countrywide that the learners’ welfare and well-being would be safeguarded while in the institutions of learning.” This statement aims to reassure parents and students that measures are in place to protect students during the strike.
The notice concluded by advising parents to prepare learners for the third term school reopening starting on August 26, 2024. This statement was issued against a backdrop of confusion surrounding the scheduled teachers’ strike, which was set to begin on Monday due to the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) alleged failure to honor the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
However, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), led by Secretary General Collins Oyuu, called off the strike yesterday, easing concerns about disruptions to the school term. This development has provided clarity and assurance to parents and students as the new term begins.
KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu, after extensive deliberations within the union, directed teachers to report to schools for the third term.
He stated, “The NEC has, therefore, today, August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike action notice which was elapsing at midnight on August 25, 2024, since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively.” He further added, “In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024.”
Despite KNUT’s decision to call off the strike, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) maintained that their strike was still on, signaling ongoing tensions and potential disruptions in some schools.
On August 13, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua held a meeting with officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in an effort to avert the impending strike.
During this meeting, Mutua urged the teachers’ representatives to consider shelving the strike and explore alternative ways to resolve the ongoing disputes with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
This engagement was part of the government’s broader efforts to prevent disruptions in the education sector and ensure a smooth start to the third term.
