Govt: All schools closed over teachers strike

The government has decided to have all schools closed starting Monday due to inactivity in the learning institutions necessitated by the ongoing teachers strike.

In a circular sent to media houses, the government attributed the move to close all private and public primary and secondary schools, to the growing tension caused by the teachers’ strike.

“The revision of the term dates for primary and secondary schools has been necessitated by the fact that very little to no teaching and learning has been going on in most of these institutions in the last weeks with an exception of examination classes,” read the statement in part.

“As a result tension has been building up among learners who have been left idle under the care of very few teachers. Some incidences of insecurity in schools have been reported by Heads of Institutions and Field Officers during the said period.”

The government said the decision applies to Standard 1 to 7 pupils and Form 1 to 3 with Standard 8 and Form Four students being asked to stay in school.

“The Ministry wishes to thank those teachers who continue to assist in preparing the 2015 candidates for examinations. It is expected that TSC teachers who are in school and BOM teachers, will continue to teach and prepare KCPE and KCSE candidates. Those already engaged in KNEC examination management will also be expected to perform their duties as per the KNEC Act 2012.”

The statement, signed by Acting Education Secretary Leah Rotich, however reiterated the government’s earlier stand that the national examination will go on as scheduled, saying the candidates will be taken through their revision ahead of the exams.

The decision comes a day after the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) threatened to push for the impeachment of President Uhuru Kenyatta for supposedly defying a court order awarding teachers a pay increment.