Government orders closure of public and private schools over teachers’ strike

The government has ordered that all public and private schools be closed starting Monday. This is due to little or no learning going on in public schools across the country as a result of the teacher’s strike that is now on its third week.

However, examination candidates in Standard Eight and Form Four will remain in school to do their revision in preparation for the upcoming national exams.

In a circular sent to education officials, Education Secretary Leah Rotich said the ministry had revised the school term dates for private and public schools.

“The revision of the time dates for primary and secondary schools has been necessitated by the fact that very little or no learning has been going in most of these institutions in the last three weeks with the exception of the examination classes,” said Ms Rotich.

“It is expected that TSC teachers who are in school and BOM teachers will continue to teach and prepare KCPE and KCSE candidates, (and) those already engaged in Knec examination management will also be expected to perform their duties as per the Knec Act 2012,” added Ms Rotich.

The teachers went on strike after government failed to effect 50-60 per cent pay rise awarded to them by court.

HUMOUR: Ships carrying thousands of teachers from China dock at Mombasa port