Schools reopen amid strike threat

Kuppet largely represents teachers in secondary and tertiary institutions. Knut has also directed members not to sign performance appraisals this term, a position at odds with TSC, which has insisted the assessment is mandatory. “Knut stresses that all teachers in the public service should not entertain TPAD/PC or any policy that will undermine or demean the teaching profession,” the union said in a statement. Last week, TSC also met with Kuppet, the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) and Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kepsha) to discuss key issues. Yesterday, Kepsha chairman Shem Ndolo told The Standard that schools would open tomorrow, with the major contentious issues being undelivered books for standards 4, 5 and 6, and whether free primary education (FPE) cash would be disbursed in time. “We expect Government to unveil books for standards 4, 5 and 6 because the books for 7 and 8 are already there. We also expect FPE will go on without any hitches,” said Mr Ndolo. He however said that primary school heads were not against being assessed but only took issue with the nature of the process. “We are taking care of people’s children and ours too,” said Ndolo, adding that Kepsha’s meeting with TSC dwelt on performance appraisal grievances. Parents also weighed in on the matter, calling for hasty negotiations between the Government and teachers. National Parents Association chairman Nicholas Maiyo said the impending impasse would infringe on children’s rights and consequently affect exam performance. “I know that they (teachers) are fighting for their rights but we also have to see that we don’t interfere and inconvenience the lives of our children,” he said.