Teachers say the demos are hurting school operations
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has raised concerns on the ongoing demonstrations in the education sector noting that it has adversely affected the smooth running of Education Calendar to schools located in affected towns and cities.
In a statement issued by the union Secretary General Collins Oyuu on March 29, 2023; KNUT notes that the demonstrations have also caused destruction of school properties and risked the lives of many children and teachers more so in slum areas.
“These demonstrations have adversely affected the smooth running of the Education Calendar in the affected cities and towns and more so to the schools situated in the slums of our cities and towns,” said Oyuu in the statement.
“The demonstrations pitting the demonstrators and the Police, causing running battles in the town streets and residential areas have not only caused risks to lives of our teachers, pupils and students, and parents; but in some places have caused destruction to school properties as was witnessed in Kibera,” he added.
Teachers union calling for worrying parties to dialogue
KNUT has therefore called upon the parties involved to embrace dialogue to enable the School Education Calendar proceed on un-interrupted, noting that if this is not done earliest possible, the gains in the education sector in terms of recovery from the COVID-19 effects, transition of Grade 6 to 7 and preparation of candidates will be put into jeopardy.
“The mass action is also disadvantaging the students and teachers from schools in the slum areas as most of them are adversely affected thus denying them equal opporthunity and fair competition with the school’s situated in safe areas not affected by the demonstrations and running battles. Most of our young learners in the early Grade are traumatized by the effects of teargas from the police,” said Oyuu.
By Roy Hezron
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