Amid increasing tensions, Kenyan teachers have elected to shutter all public and private schools after the government refused to implement a court ordered pay raise for teachers, stating that the long-awaited increase is unaffordable.
The school closures are taking place after the Teachers’ Service Commission, an institution that handles education staffing and advises the government on all education issues, said that awarding teachers with a 50-60 percent pay raise was not possible, even after the court made its decision.
In response, the Kenyan National Union of Teachers (KNUT) asked members to remain at home. The action has prompted the Teachers Service Commission to issue disciplinary letters to over 5,000 teachers.
Teacher action has steadily increased in recent weeks, which now includes all private schools. Kenya’s opposition party is urging the government to take action to settle the dispute.
Despite the school closures, the Ministry of Education says that examination classes are to remain open and continue preparing students for upcoming national exams. To skirt striking teachers who are responsible for both supervising and marking exams, the government plans to retrain retired teachers as replacements. The KNUT has appealed to retired teachers to stand in solidarity.
The court ordered salary increase came only after 18 years of failed government promises to boost pay.
Last week, the labour relations court warned the Teachers Service Commission against issuing threats of intimidation to teachers and also asked the teachers to halt street demonstrations.