As the academic year is set to begin on Monday, August 26, 2024, schools across Kenya are preparing to open their doors. However, instead of the usual back-to-school rush, the Ministry of Education and parents alike are grappling with a looming crisis—a nationwide teachers’ strike. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has rallied its members to down their tools on opening day, leaving millions of students in limbo and highlighting the deep-rooted issues plaguing the teaching profession.
At the core of this planned strike is a demand for better wages, improved working conditions, and the fulfillment of long-overdue promises. For years, the plight of Kenyan teachers has been ignored or addressed with half-measures. They work tirelessly, often under harsh conditions, yet are expected to perform miracles in a system that is frequently underfunded and poorly managed.
Teachers at Breaking Point
Kenyan teachers have long been regarded as the backbone of the country’s education system. However, their remuneration and welfare have not reflected this status. Despite several negotiations, court rulings, and promises, the government has consistently failed to implement a structured and fair salary scheme for teachers. This strike is a cry for justice—a reaction to years of broken promises and delayed solutions.
While some argue that striking on the day schools are scheduled to reopen is a disservice to students, it must be recognized that teachers have reached a breaking point. They have protested, marched, and pleaded for their rights for far too long. A peaceful opening of schools, without resolution to their grievances, would simply reinforce the government’s complacency in dealing with their concerns. If history is any guide, unless a drastic move is made, their demands will once again be shelved.
A Symptom of a Larger Problem
The strike also highlights the systemic underfunding of education in Kenya. Classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are overstretched, and resources are scarce. While much of the public outcry will focus on the disruption caused by the strike, we should take a step back and ask why such drastic measures have become necessary.
Rather than demonizing the teachers for taking action, this strike should prompt a national conversation about the value we place on education. The demands for higher pay, manageable class sizes, and access to adequate teaching materials are not outrageous—they are essential for a functioning education system. It is ironic that while leaders regularly tout education as the key to national development, those entrusted with this responsibility are treated with such neglect.
The Children as Collateral Damage
As with every teachers’ strike, the students stand to suffer the most. Children from vulnerable backgrounds, who rely on school for stability, safety, and a chance to better their lives, will feel the brunt of this strike. While middle and upper-class parents may find alternative means for their children, those attending public schools will be left in the cold.
However, placing the blame solely on the teachers is unfair. They, too, have families to provide for, and most entered the teaching profession out of a desire to uplift the next generation. When teachers are demoralized and disrespected, it directly affects the quality of education the students receive. The government’s inability to meet teachers’ legitimate needs is what has ultimately created this crisis.
The Way Forward
The government must act swiftly to avert this strike or, at the very least, resolve it in a timely and fair manner. Rather than engaging in reactionary politics or vilifying the teachers’ unions, the Ministry of Education and the Treasury should make good on past agreements and prioritize education funding. Any further delay only risks worsening the situation, not just for teachers but for the entire education system.
This strike isn’t just about teachers; it’s about the future of our children and our country. As long as teachers are underpaid, overworked, and undervalued, our students will continue to pay the price. The solution lies in investing in education, not just with empty words, but with concrete actions.
Ultimately, no one wins in a strike. However, without addressing the underlying causes of this discontent, the education system in Kenya will continue to deteriorate. It is time the government puts education—and the educators—first. If they fail to do so, strikes will remain an unfortunate but necessary recourse.
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