STRIKE THREAT

According Knec, preparations for national exams are to be completed by September 20. Schools re-open for the third term today against a background of discontent among teachers over transfers, delayed promotions, forced performance appraisals and a new policy on training. At one point, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) had threatened to call its members to a strike to protest the new transfer and training policies.

Last week, TSC had held talks with the union and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (Kuppet) as well as the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) and the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha) officials. The talks were part of an effort to avert the strike threat.

WELFARE

“Knut would like to categorically state that the union has not vacated its position on the proposed strike as the power of calling off strike rests with the National Executive Council (NEC),” Mr Wilson Sossion, Knut secretary general said of the strike plan after the talks on Thursday. However, Kuppet Secretary-General Okelo Misori differed with Mr Sossion, saying the union will not support a strike. Yesterday, Kepsha chairman Shem Ndolo said the teachers presented their proposals to the TSC and agreed to have another meeting in week’s time to resolve the contentious issues.

APPRAISALS

“On the strike, we are not party to it. All that we want is a good welfare of teachers,” Mr Ndolo told the Sunday Nation. TSC CEO Nancy Macharia has asked teachers to continue engaging in talks over the contentious issues until they are fully resolved. “In the meantime, all teachers’ programmes including the teachers’ appraisals system will continue,” she said.

CHAOTIC TERM

Schools are re-opening after a chaotic second term in which 107 institutions closed due to unrest that led to the burning of dormitories in 63 schools. Another 23 schools were closed after students decided to walk out. As the schools open tomorrow, parents in the affected institutions may have to pay for the damage caused by their children. Ms Mohammed has maintained that the government will not pay for the losses, leaving the parents with no other option than to bear the burden of repairing the dormitories, laboratories and classes.

STRIKE THREAT

According Knec, preparations for national exams are to be completed by September 20. Schools re-open for the third term today against a background of discontent among teachers over transfers, delayed promotions, forced performance appraisals and a new policy on training. At one point, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) had threatened to call its members to a strike to protest the new transfer and training policies.

Last week, TSC had held talks with the union and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (Kuppet) as well as the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) and the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha) officials. The talks were part of an effort to avert the strike threat.

WELFARE

“Knut would like to categorically state that the union has not vacated its position on the proposed strike as the power of calling off strike rests with the National Executive Council (NEC),” Mr Wilson Sossion, Knut secretary general said of the strike plan after the talks on Thursday. However, Kuppet Secretary-General Okelo Misori differed with Mr Sossion, saying the union will not support a strike. Yesterday, Kepsha chairman Shem Ndolo said the teachers presented their proposals to the TSC and agreed to have another meeting in week’s time to resolve the contentious issues.

APPRAISALS

“On the strike, we are not party to it. All that we want is a good welfare of teachers,” Mr Ndolo told the Sunday Nation. TSC CEO Nancy Macharia has asked teachers to continue engaging in talks over the contentious issues until they are fully resolved. “In the meantime, all teachers’ programmes including the teachers’ appraisals system will continue,” she said.

CHAOTIC TERM

Schools are re-opening after a chaotic second term in which 107 institutions closed due to unrest that led to the burning of dormitories in 63 schools. Another 23 schools were closed after students decided to walk out. As the schools open tomorrow, parents in the affected institutions may have to pay for the damage caused by their children. Ms Mohammed has maintained that the government will not pay for the losses, leaving the parents with no other option than to bear the burden of repairing the dormitories, laboratories and classes.