Parents in Kisii County Urge Government to Resolve Ongoing Teacher Strike

As the teacher strike continues to disrupt learning across Kenya, parents from Kisii County have voiced urgent appeals to the government, urging it to resolve the ongoing industrial action. The protest, led by local parent Paul Maaga in Kenyenya town, highlights the critical impact the strike is having on students’ education and the emotional toll it is taking on families.

Maaga, who spoke passionately about the situation, emphasized the growing frustration among parents. “Most parents sacrificed and paid school fees for the whole year to enable their candidates to stay in school, but it disheartens us when schools are not reopening because of the strike,” he said. The ongoing strike has exacerbated the already challenging educational environment, given that schools had also reopened late in the second term.

The strike’s impact is evident across the county, with primary schools resuming their third term classes, while secondary school students are being sent home due to the absence of teachers. This disruption is particularly damaging for candidates preparing for crucial national examinations, as the strike wastes valuable instructional time. Parents are concerned that the prolonged absence from school will adversely affect the students’ psychological readiness and academic performance.

In Kenyenya Secondary School, the situation has reached a boiling point. Teachers held peaceful protests but also threatened to eject any teachers found in classrooms, further compounding the disruption. This stance reflects the broader sentiment among teachers who are united in their demands for better working conditions and remuneration.

The industrial action has spread to several schools in the region. Teachers from Riokindo Boys and Girls, Nyakoiba, and Nyaimera Secondary Schools in Etago sub-county have joined the strike, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. The action has also drawn in educators from other institutions, amplifying the impact on students.

Despite the widespread disruption, there have been instances of some schools managing to operate amidst the turmoil. Students from Nyabururu Girls and Nyambaria National School in Kisii and Nyamira respectively were spotted returning to school, suggesting that some institutions are making efforts to continue their academic programs despite the strike.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Kisii branch, led by Executive Secretary Joseph Abincha, remains resolute in its stance. The union has vowed to persist in its demands until the government addresses their grievances. Their efforts included a march from Kisii Capital roundabout to Kisii National Polytechnic and back to the town’s central business center, where they addressed the public, seeking support and drawing attention to their plight.

The strike’s continuation underscores the broader issues within Kenya’s education sector, where negotiations between the government and teachers’ unions remain unresolved. The urgency of the situation is apparent, with parents and students bearing the brunt of the standoff. The government faces mounting pressure to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the strike and mitigate its impact on the educational system.

As the strike drags on, the call for a swift resolution grows louder. Parents, students, and educators alike hope for a timely intervention to restore normalcy to the educational environment and ensure that students can resume their learning without further disruptions. The resolution of this strike is crucial not only for the immediate educational needs but also for the long-term stability and effectiveness of Kenya’s education system.