By Norah Musega
KUPPET Migori County Executive Secretary Samuel Orwa has warned the government through the Ministry of Education of an impending strike if it will not speed up preparations ahead of reopening.
The unionists have also asked for risk allowances as the government plans to fully resume face-to-face learning.
KUPPET officials led by Samuel Orwa expressed concern over the safety of teachers and learners in schools despite partial reopening effected on October 12th and appealed for a quick response from the government to avail adequate facilities and water as a sure way of containing the spread of the virus.
“It is the government’s responsibility to provide learners with all requirements and ensure guidelines to contain the spread of Covi19 are strictly followed and for the quality learning process to all learners,” said Orwa.
The Executive Secretary accompanied union Chair Henry Otunga, blamed the Education CS of George Magoha over hurry to reopening instead of consulting on strategies to curb the spread of the Covid-19.
They said the CS should not assume that life is back to normal and should not put lecturers’ and learners’ lives at risk by harassing lecturers to resume work before schools are fumigated.
Orwa challenged education officials to be considerate to assist the government in ensuring teaching materials are available in all schools before the process resume in January.
“Focus should be on learning institutions because learners and tutors are at risk since no tests were done before the partial reopening of schools. The Ministry of Education has shown laxity in how they have handled the pandemic,” he noted.
On the other hand, Otunga blamed the Ministry of Education for assuming necessary issues and instead investing in desk projects in schools instead of putting up other necessary facilities like classrooms and dormitories to enhance social distance amongst learners.
“Schools do not need desks. There is a need to construct more classes and dormitories for learners especially before learning resumes in January next year according to the revised calendar by the ministry,” said Otunga.
The union officials also demanded modern toilets in all public institutions and water tanks or piped waters to all public schools to enable teachers to concentrate on their profession.
The union officials made the sentiments over the weekend while giving their last respect to the late Principal of Oyugi Ogango Girls Mrs. Martha Andang’o Ouma in Rongo sub-county at Opapo village.
