Lessons resume as strike ends

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PHOTO | JENNIFER MUIRURI A literature class in session at the Jamhuri High School on September 25, 2012. Teachers went back to work after the nationwide strike was called off.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By SAMUEL MBURU snjoroge@ke.nationmedia.com AND WINNIE-MOLLY OWOUR wowour@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, September 25  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• Tuesday was the first third term school day for most pupils and students after the teachers downed tools on September 3 over a salary dispute
• Education minister Mutula Kilonzo on Tuesday announced that schools would close on November 23 instead of November 2 to make up for lost time
• Next year’s first term will start on February 4 instead of early January

Learning in public schools returned to normal on Tuesday after teachers called off a three-week strike on Monday.

A spot check by Nation showed that most schools were operating normally.

Tuesday was the first third term school day for most pupils and students after the teachers downed tools on September 3 over a salary dispute. (Read: Teachers accept pay deal, end strike)

At schools visited by the Nation in Nairobi, pupils and teachers had turned up in large numbers.

Olympics Primary School headteacher Ruth Namulundu said more than 1,000 children reported to the Kibera school on Monday. The number had doubled by Tuesday.

“Learning started on Monday with 1,209 pupils reporting for school. We expect the number to double by the end of today (Tuesday) and hopefully on Wednesday all pupils will be back,” Ms Namulundu said.

She said all the teachers had resumed work and was optimistic that performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination would not be affected.

“Class Eight pupils have been studying by themselves throughout the strike and are prepared for the KCPE examination. The time left is enough for teachers to prepare the candidates,” Ms Namulundu said.

At Kilimani Primary School, teaching was back to normal. “All pupils have reported back to school, which is a good thing. All the teachers are present so we are in full swing,” headteacher Gideon Wasike said.

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High schools also resumed classes, with many boarders reporting back on Tuesday.

At Jamhuri High School, all students and teachers were in school and lessons were in progress.

Principal David Kilonzi said all the students and teachers had returned to school and teaching had been intensified to make up for the lost three weeks.

At Moi Girls High School, students are expected to report on Wednesday by 4pm as some live far away.

It was the same situation at Ngara Girls High where students were trickling back.

Education minister Mutula Kilonzo on Tuesday announced that schools would close on November 23 instead of November 2 to make up for lost time. (Read: New exam, term dates set as schools re-open)

Next year’s first term will start on February 4 instead of early January.