Eight secondary schools have been closed in Makueni County as the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) continues with the teachers’ strike.
Reports indicate that four boys’ schools and four girls’ schools have been closed indefinitely due to reported student unrest, fire incidents, and the ongoing teachers’ strike.
Students in some of these schools informed the administrations that they had been staying in school without being taught.
The administrators explained that the decision was made due to the uncertainties caused by the teachers’ strike.
Among the affected schools is AIC Nyayo Girls Secondary School, which was closed after two dormitories were burned down in a fire on the night of Sunday, September 1.
The Board has allowed the students to go home to facilitate investigations and help them recover from the shock.
Makueni Secondary was also closed indefinitely on Sunday morning after a case of student unrest was reported the previous night.
Students of Ngoto Boys High School were sent home after some allegedly set one of the dormitories on fire.
Similarly, students of Kalulini Boys and Kaumoni Boys Secondary Schools were released, and the schools were closed indefinitely. Makindu Girls students also burned a dormitory, leading to the students being sent home.
In messages sent to parents, most schools have indicated that students are dissatisfied with staying in school without being taught.
Also Read: KUPPET Sends Key Message to Parents with Children in School
Teachers’ Strike
This comes after KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori directed parents and school principals to withdraw students from school as the strike intensifies.
Misori stated that teachers have vowed to stay home and urged principals to avoid risking the safety of schools and students.
“For the next week, or even beyond, teachers have vowed to stay at home. We are now appealing to principals who have been persuaded by wrong notions not to let the schools be burned,” Misori warned.
Also Read: REVEALED: Amount Teachers Will Receive as Pay Raise in Revised Salary Structure
He accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of using divisive tactics to undermine KUPPET’s efforts to improve the welfare of teachers.
Misori cautioned parents and principals to be vigilant and avoid participating in what he called TSC’s ‘mischievous arrangement’ of issuing threats to striking teachers.
He stated that the strike has evolved into a larger struggle for teachers’ rights and career progression.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
