Teachers strike bites across the country

Pupils take a nap as nationwide teachers strike took off Monday. (Photo:George Njunge/Standard)

Learning in public primary schools across the country was paralysed after more than 200,000 teachers defied the Government and refused to resume work at the start of the 2014 academic year.

The teachers, who were heeding calls by Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion to down their tools, were protesting the Government's failure to increase their salaries and allowances.

Homa Bay County Knut Chairman Eliud Ombori said the strike kicked off well in the area while in Kwale, a head teacher, Mwanaharusi Ali said very few pupils reported to school.

Godwin Kasuva, a teacher at Msambweni Secondary School, said nothing was going on at the institution that hosts both day scholars and boarding students.

The same was replicated in Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Kericho counties where public schools remained closed.

Some pupils among them those who are joining Standard Eight from various schools in Maara and Chuka said they were honouring the reporting date as stipulated by the school.

Kiambu East Knut Branch Chairman Clement Gicharu and his Kiambu West counterpart Michael Muna advised teachers not to report to work until the union advises otherwise.

And learners in Narok and Bomet counties have pleaded with the Government and teachers' unions to end the strike which entered day two today.

"We have been away at home for almost two months and we looked forward to a new term with a lot of determination. Unfortunately, we are beginning the term on the wrong footing," said Vivian Chelangat, a Standard Eight pupil at Mulot.

Nyeri Knut Sectreary General Kahiga Mutahi warned the Government against threatening to sack teachers.

Narok Knut Executive Secretary Dennis ole Rakua said teachers have only boycotted work and would not be taking to the streets.

A spot check at public schools in Meru town revealed that though the gates were open, staff rooms and classrooms remained closed.

At Meru primary school, a few children dropped by to check if their teachers were present. They were not in school uniform.

The striking teachers converged in Meru town.

In Maua, hundreds of teachers from Meru North held a peaceful demonstration around the town, and vowed to stick together.

Led by Meru Knut Executive Secretary Julius Taitumu, the teachers said none of them will report to work before national officials strike a deal with the Teachers Service Commission.

"All primary and secondary school teachers know that schools are out of bounds until the national office says so," said Mr Taitumu, who also sits in the National Executive Council.

However, some teachers in Nairobi were said to have reported to work. A teacher showed The Standard a text message apparently written by a colleague confirming that indeed teaching was going on.

However, when The Standard visited the said school, only a few pupils could be seen idling under trees, and there was no sign of learning.

At Hospital Hill primary school, even the watchmen appeared to have taken the day off, with vehicles going in and out unchecked. There however, appeared to be some activity, as some parents seeking admission for Standard One pupils could be seen booking appointments with the head teacher. A number of pupils who sat last year's KCPE examinations were also coming to collect their results.