Back-to-school rush as schools reopen amid divided unions' stance on teachers' strike

Heavy traffic was experienced on Monday morning on major roads leading to Nairobi's Central Business District as schools re-opened for the third term.

As early as 6:30 am, traffic police were forced to control traffic flow on the Bunyala roundabout and where Uhuru Highway meets with Haile Selassie as vehicles made their way to the CBD.

A spot check by The Eastleigh Voice revealed that the matatu stages right from the city centre were packed with travellers most of them being high school students.

Some were dressed in school uniforms in the company of their parents and guardians while others were in casual clothes.

Bag packs were also seen on their backs while some carried luggage in the form of boxes and paper bags, an indication of perhaps stationeries, shopping and the necessities required for back to school.

Along Tom Mboya Street at Afya Centre, matatu operators were busy luring commuters most of them learners into the vehicles as more people continued to arrive.

Mfangano Street next to the famous bus station (BS) was fully packed with school children and their guardians.

Parents and students await to board matatus near Afya Centre in Nairobi's CBD on August 26, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Trolley owners who earn a living by carrying luggage for commuters were spotted pushing their tools of trade, followed by the travellers as they rushed to board various matatus.

Ronald Ngala Street was no exception as traffic snarl-up was witnessed as the vehicles entered the CBD.

The scene at the famous Tea room was colourful as students dressed in different school uniforms were busy waiting and boarding their vehicles.

Confusion continues to surround the reopening of schools for the third term after teacher unions gave conflicting calls on whether to proceed with the strike.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) on Sunday directed teachers to report to work for the third term after it withdrew the strike notice that was to elapse at midnight.

The union's Secretary General Collins Oyuu indicated that the remaining areas of concern for teachers were being addressed administratively.

However, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) maintained that the planned teachers' strike will proceed as scheduled, beginning on Monday.

Term 3, 2024 which is the final term of the academic year will last nine weeks, from August 26 to October 25, 2024, according to the school calendar released by the Ministry of Education.

The examinations for the Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), are scheduled for October 28 to 31.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) national exams will take place between November 4 to November 22, 2024.