The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called on the Ministry of Education to release the reviewed schools’ calendar and plan for a full resumption of learning.
During the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, Knut secretary-general Wilson Sossion said that opening of schools was overdue. Students need to resume learning because there has been a decline in coronavirus infection rates.
For the first time in history, Teachers celebrated the day outside schools due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The Union called on the government to guarantee the safety of teachers and learners by ensuring that all Covid-19 regulations are put in place.
At the celebration, Teachers Service Commission chairperson Lydia Nzomo said that the pandemic has added to the many challenges faced by the already overstretched education systems.
“However, it has also offered unique opportunities for teachers to provide leadership in relation to response in crisis and help the world communities reimagine the future of education,” she said.
The commission will continue to work with teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector to protect the right to education, Nzomo said.
Nancy Macharia, the TSC CEO said teachers have been sharing the Ministry of Health guidelines with residents.
She further stated that many teachers have been busy engaging learners in academics, life skills and guidance and counselling.
The commission has, however, not disclosed the number of teachers who might have died from or infected by the virus.
The Knut secretary-general also used the platform to address their dispute with their employer, TSC.
Sossion accused the TSC leadership of being responsible for the union’s loss of more than half its membership in the last two years.
He further accused the commission of disobeying court orders and dishonouring a pay agreement signed in 2017.