Knut calls off teachers' strike
Deputy President William Ruto (centre) welcomes Knut officials Wilson Sossion (left) and Mudzo Nzili (right) to his office July 17, 2013. Knut called off the teachers' strike after agreeing a pay deal with the government. DPPS
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has called off the teachers' strike.
The teachers will return to class with a Sh16.2 billion deal spread out in two phases, as had earlier been agreed between Knut and the government.
"We have assessed the government offer over time and we are satisfied that we have put in place proper mechanisms through engagement... with that in mind, the National Executive Council has now authorised the secretary general to call off the strike,” said Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) chairman Wilson Sossion.
He was speaking after a two-hour meeting with Deputy President William Ruto.
The decision to end the 24-day strike was reached just hours after the government ordered all public primary schools closed indefinitely.
The government said measures are in place to ensure Standard 8 pupils sit national examinations.
“The government hereby orders the closure of all public primary schools indefinitely, aware that primary school teachers continue to participate in an illegal and unconstitutional strike having refused to comply with legal directives of the Teachers Service Commission,” said Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi Wednesday.
