Learning in Nyeri starts as schools open despite teachers’ strike threat

Learning in public primary schools in Nyeri County resumed as usual Monday as schools opened for the third term amidst fears of a looming teachers’ strike.

In Nyamachaki Primary School, all the 1,400 pupils and teachers reported to school in readiness for the third term session.

Teachers could also be seen in classrooms with most of them saying they were carrying on with the syllabus for the two-month long school term.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Sunday instructed all teachers to report to work without fail.

Last week, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) instructed its members to stay away from schools until the 50 and 60 per cent salary increment awarded to them by the court is implemented.

HEEDED TSC CALL

But come Monday morning, teachers appeared to have heeded TSC’s call.

“We are waiting for a circular from Knut to direct us on the way forward.

“If Knut instructs us to go back home we will comply but before we have received the circular, we will continue to teach,” said a teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The situation was the same in DEB Muslim Primary School and in Gathwariga Primary School where pupils and their teachers braced the morning chill to be in school despite the strike threat.

“We are back to work after the three weeks break. All the pupils have reported and teachers are ready to teach,” said Musa Kinyanjui, the headteacher of Githwariga.

The third term is the shortest and the most crucial in the Kenyan academic calendar.

Both Form Four and Class Eight candidates are expected to sit their national examinations in October and November respectively.