Strike Notices, Hiked Fees, and Other Crises Parents Face As Schools Reopen
The government is in a race against the clock to reopen schools next week despite facing multiple crises, one of which involves more than 21,000 Junior Secondary School (JSC) teachers who are refusing to return to work.
In a communication directed to the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC), educators hailing from over 23,000 public schools declared their intention to stage a demonstration should their demands remain unaddressed by Sunday.
Strike Notice Issued
The notice given by Junior Secondary School teachers included a threat to refuse to participate in the school’s reopening scheduled for 2024.
Several requests made by the JSC teachers involved securing permanent and pensionable contracts going forward.
The imminent strike has purportedly caused significant disputes between the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) following allegations by the former that the latter is supporting the JSC demonstrations.
Bursaries Delays
The postponement in reimbursing the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has also sparked worry among parents who rely on the bursaries to pay for their children’s school fees.
In December, MPs left a session in protest due to the prolonged holdup in disbursing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to their respective areas.
One week afterward, Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, assured that the funds would be disbursed in January.
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On January 2, 2023, Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East, criticized the government for the ongoing delays in releasing the funds, which contradicted the assurances given by the Ministry.
“Ruto has defiled our education system and must be stopped. 2024 is a year to put this defunct government to task to deliver to Kenyans and lower the cost of living,” Babu stated.
School Fees Hike
Kahi Indimuli, the chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESHA), recently defended the necessity of raising fees for parents, citing the challenges school administrators face in managing institutions due to the elevated cost of living.
Nevertheless, the Education Cabinet Secretary reassured parents that there would be no alterations to the school fee arrangements. Additionally, he cautioned headteachers and principals against raising school fees.
The school administrators were said to be implementing additional fees for school uniforms and instructing parents to buy the items from particular stores.
Good News
Nevertheless, President William Ruto disbursed Ksh31.34 billion in capitation funds in anticipation of schools reopening next week.
He distributed Ksh4.74 billion to the State Department for Basic Education for the first term, Ksh7.6 billion as funding for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), and used the remaining amount for school examinations and invigilation fees (Ksh2.8 billion) and free day secondary education (Ksh16.2 billion).
Strike Notices, Hiked Fees, and Other Crises Parents Face As Schools Reopen