The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a notice to parents and school principals across the country, advising them to withdraw all learners from schools. This comes as the teachers’ strike intensifies into its second week.
Learning in many Kenyan schools has been disrupted, and in some regions, students have already started heading home. For instance, Jomo Kenyatta Boys and Girls’ Secondary School has sent home students from form one to form three.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori urged school principals to adhere to the directives and not be swayed by any misconceptions that could jeopardize the safety of students and schools.
He clarified that teachers had committed to staying at home for the next week and possibly even longer if their demands were not addressed.
“You cannot keep students in schools without teachers. Parents who continue to send their children to school during this period are doing so at their own risk. KUPPET will not be held responsible,” he said.
“For the next one week, even beyond, teachers have vowed to stay at home. We are now appealing to the principals who have been persuaded by wrong notions to let the schools not to be burnt,” Misori cautioned.
The Secretary-General also criticized the TSC for employing divisive tactics to consistently undermine the union’s efforts to improve teachers’ welfare.
He noted that the strike has grown into a larger battle for teachers’ rights, focusing on ensuring proper career progression.
“When a teacher moves from one grade to another, his status is elevated. So, the employer has refused to elevate the teacher,” Misori stated.
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This morning, many parents received messages informing them to expect their children back home at any time.
“We received information early Monday morning that we should expect out children back home because there were no teachers in the school to teach and look after them,” one parent revealed.
Other schools preparing to send their students home include Nakuru High School and Meru Secondary School. Parents are now urging the government to heed the teachers’ demands so that learning can resume.
“The doctors were striking, the Gen Zs were striking and now the teachers are on strike, we cannot continue like this,” said another parent.