Schools send students back home as teachers’ strike disrupts learning

Secondary schools across the country have begun sending students home as the strike by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) enters its second week, causing a significant disruption to learning.

In Nakuru County, Jomo Kenyatta Boys' Secondary School and Jomo Kenyatta Girls' Secondary School dismissed students from Form One to Form Three on Monday morning. Students dressed in their school uniforms boarded buses to return home.

Parents who spoke to the media said they received notification early on Monday morning to prepare for their children's return.

“We received information early Monday morning that we should expect our children back home because there were no teachers in the school to teach and look after them,” Paul Asika, a concerned parent from Jomo Kenyatta Secondary School, said.

Nakuru High School and Meru Secondary School also followed suit, sending their students home, citing the ongoing strike and a lack of available teachers as the reasons for the decision.

On Sunday, KUPPET vowed to continue with the industrial action until the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) addresses the issue of promoting teachers who have been stuck in the same job groups for extended periods.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori declared that schools will remain closed for the next week and possibly beyond, as long as the employer refuses to heed to their demands.

“The employer has refused to elevate the teacher, and this is not a laughing matter. I must say this: If employers are going to choose not to respect the Minister for Labour, then that Minister should be scrapped and the Minister should go home."

"That is the reason why this morning the National Governing Council, which was called to review the status of the strike, has reported positively that the schools are not running and they are not going to run for the next one week, even beyond. The teachers this time have vowed to stay at home,” Misori said.

In a meeting with its council, the union dismissed the proposed Sh1,000 pay increase by their employer, terming it as insufficient.

Parents of students affected by school closures are calling on the government to resolve ongoing issues with teachers to ensure that education can resume without further interruptions.

“I’m urging the Kenya Kwanza Government to look into the needs of the teachers. Our country cannot continue to stall like this because you are not listening. The doctors were on strike, the Gen Zs were on strike, and now the teachers are on strike. We cannot continue like this,” Ruth Muthoni, another parent, said.