Government orders schools to reopen on Monday
A teacher at Milimani Commercial court before the hearing of their case on September 21. 2015. Photo/PHILIP KAMAKYA
BY WILLIAM MWANGI
September 25, 2015
Government orders schools to reopen on Monday
Schools will reopen on Monday, the Education ministry has said, hours after a court suspended the teachers’ strike for 90 days.
In a statement to newsrooms on Monday, Education PS Belio Kipsang said the schools will close on November 20.
“No schools should levy any extra fees on parents in the pretext 0of covering costs associated with the pay dispute,” Kipsang said.
He said schools that had been closed will extend the term by a week and forego the half term break.
“The remaining lost time will be recovered in the subsquent term of school calendar year 2016,” he said, adding that the calendar will soon be released.
Class 1-7 and form 1-3 students have been home for four weeks following the teachers’ strike over the 50 to 60 per cent pay hike stalemate.
Private schools remained in session following a challenge to the closure order by the Kenya Private Schools Association.
Kipsang directed that schools that were fully operational during the strike carry on for the remaining portion of the term
Justice Nelson Abuodha suspended the strike on Friday and ordered the teachers’ immediate return to school.
He also asked the government to pay them fully for the month of September and set up a committee to discuss the impasse.
But Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori said the strike will go on.
Teachers also said they would not return to school until they study the ruling and return to court on Monday.
