Replace Kaimenyi, demands Knut

Teachers will not engage Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi on issues affecting the education sector, union officials have said.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary-General Wilson Sossion said they want President Kenyatta to appoint a new Cabinet secretary.

“As teachers, we will not work with him as we have no confidence in him. That resolution was passed last year and I cannot go against it. Our NEC and delegates said so and it’s them who will decide again,” said Mr Sossion.

Last week, the union skipped a meeting that had been called by Prof Kaimenyi at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to look into issues affecting the sector.

NO AGENDA

Mr Sossion told the Daily Nation that the meeting had no agenda and was therefore a waste of time.

However, rival Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers attended the meeting, saying that they saw no need to boycott it.

The sector has lately witnessed supremacy battles on who, between Prof Kaimenyi and teachers, should have the final say on education policies.
The two have been reading from different scripts on various issues affecting education.

Whereas Prof Kaimenyi believes that consultation is important, he insists that the majority should have their say.
But Mr Sossion maintains there must be consensus on issues.

Last week, the CS held a series of meetings with other stakeholders, including lecturers, vice-chancellors and principals of colleges, on challenges facing the sector.

Knut is opposed to school fees rules and the Basic Education regulations that were gazetted by Prof Kaimenyi, saying there is a need for more consultation.
The dispute between the union and the CS has been complicated by a controversial text message that Mr Sossion sent to Prof Kaimenyi.
The message read: “Shame on you on all these things. You are a disgrace.”

Prof Kaimenyi has since reported the matter to the police for action, saying he will not accept to be insulted.
“We must respect one another even if you do not like me,” he said.

However, Mr Sossion said he had no apology to make over the text message that he sent Prof Kaimenyi on April 2.
“I just sent him a terse text message and given an opportunity I will do it again,” he said.

Yesterday, Mr Sossion demanded that police charge him if they think he has committed a crime, saying he also used to criticise former Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo.

RETURN PHONE

“I am asking Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet to tell the DCI officers who took my phone last week on Thursday to return it or they take me to court,” said the Knut secretary-general.

He went on: “My lawyer has made several trips to DCI headquarters since last week and they have declined to give back my phone,” said Mr Sossion.
He accused Prof Kaimenyi of not respecting teachers.

The Knut boss noted that his differences with the Cabinet secretary were not personal. “There are many serious issues that affect the Ministry of Education. Students are not learning in northeastern, Baringo, Pokot, Turkana and Samburu. The CS has never bothered to call a consultative meeting with other stakeholders to chart the way forward. What kind of CS is this?” he asked.
He accused the CS of trivialising education matters.

“Our differences are not personal. If 148 students are killed, he has to take responsibility. I cannot keep quiet. Is the minister not ashamed about this?” asked Mr Sossion.

He said that the Cabinet secretary had failed to address teachers’ concerns.