Teachers boycott duty countrywide

By Robert Nyasato

Teachers demonstrate in Kisii town on Monday to press for better pay. (Photo:Robert Nyasato/Standard)

Re-opening for third term in public schools failed in Kisii after teachers made good their threat to boycott duty to press for better pay.

As anticipated learning never took place with pupils reporting but there was no one to receive them forcing them to return home as teachers took to the streets to voice their concerns for increased pay.

Last Friday Industrial Court Judge Byrum Ongaya issued orders restraining teachers from taking part in or calling or inciting others to take part in the strike until the case filed by TSC scheduled for hearing on Tuesday on their pay is heard and decided.

Chaos reigned high at Nyanchwa TTC after protesting teachers stormed the centre and ejected secondary school head teachers who were sitting promotional examinations.

Police were called in to intervene but after Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Kisii County Executive Secretary Ben Nyaundi was summoned by the teachers to tell the heads that a strike was on.

“You are sitting exams for pay increase but who are your going to head when we’re out striking for a course that will equally benefit you,” one of the teachers asked.

A survey conducted by The Standard revealed that pupils in most schools were caught unawares as they were welcomed by padlocked classroom doors.

Schools like Kiomakondo, Kisii, Nyabiuto, Nyambera, Nyataro and Jogoo primary schools a few pupils arrived but returned home.

However, most private schools were preparing the opening while other are expected to open on Tuesday for the third term.

Knut executive secretaries, John Matiang’i (Borabu), Sammy Nyairo (Gucha), Charles Mokua (South Kisii) and Shem Nyaundi (Kisii) said that the strike will continue until the government addressed their demands.

They said the strike was justified saying that they issued notices about the strike as required by law.

Matiang’i said that it is not only the teachers who were disobeying court orders but also the government.

Nyairo on his part asked the government to handled  the teachers’ salary issue with a lot urgency to safe the pupils from suffering especially those who are going to seat for national exams.

Kenya national association of parents Kisii County coordinator Judy Mong’are told the government to pay teachers if it wanted to avert the strike.

“The government has been taking teachers for a ride for many years so it high time addresses the salary increment for them to avoid children from suffering,” Mong’are said.

Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara says he is opposed to the industrial action by teachers, giving a number of reasons why is in not in support:

“One, I believe in the rule of law. The teachers union ought to have let the court make a decision. Disobedience of court orders is the surest shortcut to anarchy and impunity.

Two, the children, who are the main victims together with their parents were not party to the agreement between Moi and KNUT in 1997. Who will compensate them?

Three, the teachers’ strike affects children of the ordinary citizens. Most of the striking teachers have their children in private schools where some of these teachers will be teaching in the evening.

Four, the new constitution introduced new criteria to be applied in determining salaries and this supercedes hitherto existing legislation and agreements. Teachers and even ourselves are not exempt from these provisions. Demonstrations will not change this reality,” said Imanyara.