Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba has urged KUPPET to reconsider their position and end the strike that is on its first day.
During a press briefing at Lenana Primary School, the CS stated that the government has shown willingness and readiness to address all the concerns raised by teachers, and as a result, sees no reason for confrontation.
“I therefore call upon the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), to review their stance and to call off the strike. The Government has demonstrated goodwill and readiness to address all the issues raised. We therefore, see no reason for confrontation,” said Ogamba.
He expressed gratitude to the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) for ending their strike, noting that their decision was timely and allowed schools to reopen.
“I commend them for reading the mood of the nation and acting with selfless patriotism,” said the CS, revealing that the government had allocated schools Ksh21.8 billion in capitation and emphasized that schools should run smoothly without any disruptions to learning.
He urged school administrators to use the allocated resources wisely and warned that the ministry would take action if the funds were misused.
“These are public resources that have been entrusted to you, for the benefit of the learners under your care. As the responsible Ministry, we are keen on ensuring that every cent that is disbursed to schools is accounted for. We will not hesitate to take swift action should any case of misappropriation be established,” Ogamba stated.
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He also instructed school heads not to send students home or withhold their examination certificates due to unpaid school fees. Additionally, he encouraged school administrations to explore alternative methods for ensuring that students settle their fee balances.
“School heads should find other administrative ways of ensuring that students pay any fee balances, without hindering their progression by withholding their certificates,” stated Ogamba.
The CS announced that construction is underway for 3,500 Grade 9 classrooms across the country. Additionally, he mentioned that KSh7.5 billion is being allocated this week to initiate the building of another 7,500 classrooms, which are expected to be finished by December.
He also mentioned that the ministry is working on the release of a further KSh3.4 billion to the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) for the construction of another 6,000 classrooms.
Ogamba announced that the requisite Grade 9 textbooks have been finalized and will begin distribution to schools nationwide starting in September.
“Still on Grade 9, the requisite textbooks have been completed and will be distributed to schools countrywide starting next month,” said Ogamba.
The CS, on Monday August 26, toured various primary and junior schools across Kajiado, Machakos and Nairobi counties, verifying that school operations had resumed for the third term.
By Frank Mugwe
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