KENYA: KCCB Commission for Education and Religious Education Appeals to Government and Teachers to End the Current Teachers’ Strike
Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Commission for Education and Religious Education
has made an appeal to teachers and the Ministry of Education to end the current
teachers’ strike that is going on in the country.
|
| Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Makumba; |
In the
statement issued on January 7, 2015 by Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Makumba; the Chairman
for the Commission for Education and Religious Education stated “The Catholic
Church in Kenya is deeply concerned over the ongoing teachers’ strike, which
has entered its third day and has disrupted learning in most public schools.
This situation is causing pupils, students and their parents undue and
unhealthy anxiety and inconvenience. It is unlikely that the time lost during
the strike will be fully recovered.”
statement issued on January 7, 2015 by Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Makumba; the Chairman
for the Commission for Education and Religious Education stated “The Catholic
Church in Kenya is deeply concerned over the ongoing teachers’ strike, which
has entered its third day and has disrupted learning in most public schools.
This situation is causing pupils, students and their parents undue and
unhealthy anxiety and inconvenience. It is unlikely that the time lost during
the strike will be fully recovered.”
The
statement came up following the crisis in public schools were teachers went on
strike countrywide since the first day of the first term of 2015, paralyzing
all learning activities, demanding for more pay.
statement came up following the crisis in public schools were teachers went on
strike countrywide since the first day of the first term of 2015, paralyzing
all learning activities, demanding for more pay.
The Ministry
of Labour stepped in to convene a conciliation meeting for all parties involved
to thrash out the disagreement that has resulted in industrial action by over
270,000 teachers.
of Labour stepped in to convene a conciliation meeting for all parties involved
to thrash out the disagreement that has resulted in industrial action by over
270,000 teachers.
The KCCB in
the statement said, “It is regrettable that to date negotiations have borne no
fruit and no solution has been reached to end the current stalemate. As a
result, most children in public schools may continue to stay at home for a much
longer time. As the leaders representing the various parties continue with
negotiations, we urge the teachers to go back to class and let learning to
continue.”
the statement said, “It is regrettable that to date negotiations have borne no
fruit and no solution has been reached to end the current stalemate. As a
result, most children in public schools may continue to stay at home for a much
longer time. As the leaders representing the various parties continue with
negotiations, we urge the teachers to go back to class and let learning to
continue.”
“We
acknowledge that the teachers, through their unions, and the government may
have valid and legitimate reasons for holding on to their different positions.
As a Church, we respect this. However, we passionately appeal to the leaders
concerned to reconsider their respective positions for the sake of the innocent
children and of education in this country,” read the statement.
acknowledge that the teachers, through their unions, and the government may
have valid and legitimate reasons for holding on to their different positions.
As a Church, we respect this. However, we passionately appeal to the leaders
concerned to reconsider their respective positions for the sake of the innocent
children and of education in this country,” read the statement.
The
statement concluded by stating that the Catholic Church offers to mediate in
the negotiations so that an amicable solution is reached as quickly as possible
for normal learning to resume.
statement concluded by stating that the Catholic Church offers to mediate in
the negotiations so that an amicable solution is reached as quickly as possible
for normal learning to resume.
Meanwhile, the latest information received
from KCCB said that the Bishops have met with the member of Teachers Service Commission
(TSC) and Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in an effort to end the stale
mate. Some meetings have already taken place and more meetings are scheduled
for the coming weeks.
from KCCB said that the Bishops have met with the member of Teachers Service Commission
(TSC) and Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in an effort to end the stale
mate. Some meetings have already taken place and more meetings are scheduled
for the coming weeks.
SOURCE: KCCB Waumini
Communications Office
