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| Prof: Jacob Kaimenyi |
Nairobi Kenya: The government has ordered the immediate closure of all public
primary schools following the teachers’ strike, which is now in its
fourth week.
Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said primary
schools will remain shut until the standoff between the tutors and the
government is resolved.
“The primary school teachers continue to participate in an illegal
and unconstitutional strike having refused to comply with the legal
directives of the Teachers Service Commission – in other words their
employer – which is in breach of their code of employment and law,” he
explained.
Kaimenyi however clarified that students in secondary schools will
continue with their studies following a deal struck with the Kenya Union
of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).
“The government appreciates the agreement made between the Teachers
Service Commission and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers
that has returned normalcy to post primary institutions,” Kaimenyi said.
Even as he announced the closure of all public primary schools,
Kaimenyi sought to assure those sitting their Kenya Certificate of
Primary Education (KCPE) exams this year that arrangements have been
made to ensure they are not disenfranchised.
“The government assures all class eight pupils, parents and the
public that adequate arrangements have been made to address their
situation with respect to their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education
examinations,” he said.
Kaimenyi’s assurances have however been criticised by the Consumer
Federation of Kenya (COFEK) which threatened to seek legal intervention
if the schools are not reopened within seven days.
“That the closure does not affect pupils in private schools, sitting
for the same national examinations, can only amount to discrimination
against majority pupils from humble backgrounds,” COFEK Program Officer
Margaret Obondo indicated.
(Source)