Striking teachers vow no classes

Written By:KBC reporters,    Posted: Sun, Sep 09, 2012

The strike by the over 270,000 teachers has paralysed learning in public schools. Striking teachers have vowed they will not go back to class unless their demands are met. Kenya National Union of Teachers and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) at the same time scoffed at sacking threats by the Teachers Service Commission saying no amount of intimidation will coerce teachers back to the classroom unless their pay demands are fully met. Addressing a press conference separately in Nairobi on Saturday, the union officials maintained that the strike that has crippled learning in public schools is still on until the government gives in to their demands for salaries and allowances. They said no amount of intimidation would cow them to call off the strike and declared that the mother of all strikes has just began.  KNUT chairman Mr Wilson Sossion asked all teachers to report to their respective branches countrywide. "This week is the defining moment and the government should brace itself for more demonstrations" said Sossion. He added "the talks have stalled because of the government unwillingness to bring any tangible offer on the table". Negotiations between the government and teachers hit a snag last week. On Saturday TSC Secretary Gabriel Lengoboini ordered teachers to report to work Monday or face stern disciplinary action. The commission also warned that it will not remit union dues to any union that will incite its members. The Ministry of Education said that the demands by teachers are unsustainable. Education minister Mutula Kilonzo said the teachers were asking for Sh460 billion annually against an allocation of Sh115 billion.  The Minister asked the teachers to respect the court ruling outlawing the strike. "No employee shall be victimized for taking part in the strike provided they report to work immediately," he said. Meanwhile, Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Eliud Wabukhala has called for a truce between the parties involved indicating a solution may be hard to get unless the parties soften their hard line stand.