As the countdown to the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations begins in earnest, students are facing an unexpected challenge: a teachers’ strike that threatens to derail their preparations. With only eight weeks left until the exams, candidates across the country are counting the costs of the ongoing industrial action by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). Teachers, who took to the streets of Mombasa along Moi Avenue, are demanding the permanent and pensionable employment of Junior Secondary School teachers and are pushing the government to honor the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) commitments for 2024–2025.
Impact on Students’ Learning Time
In just the first week of the strike, students have missed approximately 36 lessons. This number, already alarming, could continue to grow as KUPPET members maintain their stand. With nine lessons scheduled each day, each lasting 40 minutes, this translates to a staggering loss of 1,800 minutes—or 30 hours—of instructional time in one week alone. For candidates who are in the crucial final phase of preparation, these lost hours represent missed opportunities to clarify difficult concepts, engage in revision exercises, and receive essential guidance from their teachers.
Should the strike continue into a second week, as KUPPET has indicated, the cumulative effect will be significant. The loss of lessons will surpass 60 hours, further compounding the anxiety and stress among candidates and their parents. Education sector stakeholders are increasingly concerned that the strike could have long-lasting impacts on students’ performance, especially in subjects that require continuous assessment and practical lessons, such as sciences and technical subjects.
Striking Teachers’ Demands
KUPPET’s demands are focused on the employment terms for Junior Secondary School teachers and the implementation of the CBC. The union argues that the government has not honored its promises regarding the CBC, which is set to be fully implemented in the 2024–2025 academic year. KUPPET also insists that teachers who are currently under contract should be offered permanent and pensionable terms, a move they believe will provide job security and improve the quality of education delivery.
The union’s stance has sparked a broader debate about the management of the education sector and the government’s role in ensuring that teachers are adequately compensated and supported. KUPPET’s decision to continue the strike this week suggests that negotiations have stalled, leaving students and parents in a precarious position.
Stakeholders’ Concerns
Education stakeholders, including school administrators, parents, and students, are expressing growing concern over the prolonged strike. They argue that each day lost to the strike significantly diminishes the preparedness of the candidates. The ripple effect is not just on the current cohort but also on the future of education in Kenya, as disruptions may lead to lower performance in national examinations and could potentially affect the transition rates to higher education institutions.
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the impact of the strike but has yet to provide a clear roadmap for resolving the crisis. While there are calls for dialogue between the government and KUPPET, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Parents, particularly those with children in private tuition, have had to incur additional costs to make up for the lost lessons, adding a financial strain on families already grappling with the high cost of living.
Conclusion
As the strike enters its second week, the clock is ticking for KCSE candidates. The loss of valuable class time poses a significant challenge to their preparation, raising concerns about the overall impact on their performance in the upcoming examinations. While KUPPET’s demands are centered on critical issues within the education sector, the immediate focus must shift towards ensuring that students’ learning is not compromised. It is imperative that all parties come to the negotiating table urgently to resolve the strike, allowing teachers to return to classrooms and provide the necessary support to candidates in these final weeks before their exams.
