Author: Hezron Rooy

Labour CS Urges Teachers to Opt for Dialogue Amid Strike Plans The newly appointed Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has once again intervened in the ongoing teachers’ strike, advocating for dialogue as a means to resolve the issues at hand. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have both declared plans for industrial action on August 26. Additionally, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a seven-day strike notice, which threatens to disrupt university learning in the coming month. Call for Dialogue Given…

What KNUT is Demanding Ahead of August 26 Teachers Strike The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) recently engaged with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regarding the implementation of the second phase of salary awards outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2021-2025. Upon noticing that these awards were not reflected in the July 2024 pay slips, KNUT took steps to address the issue. On August 5, 2024, KNUT sent a letter to TSC (Ref: KNUT/TSC/60/62/2024) requesting a meeting on August 7, 2024, at 9:00 am. The Commission responded the following day (Ref: TSC/LLIR/KNUT/33/VOL X/40), stating that they would respond…

Breakdown: University Fees Parents Will Pay The administration under President William Ruto has clarified the new university funding model that has sparked widespread reactions among Kenyans in recent days. Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala provided details on Friday, explaining that the model categorizes students into five bands based on their family’s income level. The funding model divides students into five distinct bands, with each band’s allocation determined by the income the applicant reported when applying for a scholarship. The PS also detailed the amount each band will receive in terms of scholarships and loans. Band One: Most Needy Follow…

MPs Push for 7:15am School Reporting Time for Pupils Members of Parliament are working to prevent pupils in both public and private primary schools from reporting to school before 7:15 am. They argue that such early reporting is illegal and detrimental to the well-being of young learners. Kisii Woman Representative, Dorice Donya Aburi, has asked the Ministry of Education to address the issue of early school reporting. She criticized the practice of requiring pupils to arrive early for extra lessons, stating that it violates the law and negatively impacts students. Ms. Aburi highlighted that school children are often required to…

Motion by Passaris to Revamp of Education Bursary Framework Nairobi County Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, has tabled a motion in the National Assembly advocating for a comprehensive reform of the nation’s bursary system. This motion seeks to address persistent challenges within Kenya’s education funding framework and aims to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students. The motion underscores the pressing need for a revamp in the distribution and management of education funds. It stresses the importance of creating a system that guarantees fair access to quality education, reflecting the government’s commitment to providing free basic education. Passaris suggested…

Nyamira Residents Split on Proposed University Location The proposal to establish the State University of Nyamira has sparked a heated debate among residents and leaders of Nyamira. The controversy arose following President William Ruto’s recent announcement to set up the university in Kiabonyoru, located in North Mugirango Constituency. The President’s decision, made during his visit to the region earlier this week, has led to accusations and disagreements among local leaders. President Ruto’s endorsement of Kiabonyoru as the site for the university has been met with opposition from some leaders. They believe that the Member of Parliament for the area, Joash…

Stakeholders Push for Government-Private Sector Partnership in CBC Execution Education stakeholders have urged the government to partner with the private sector to ensure the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and to facilitate a smooth transition for Grade 9 students into senior school. At the launch of the Gravity CBC/CBA Model and the Pathways and Careers models, which are designed to support students throughout their educational journey, stakeholders emphasized the importance of drawing inspiration from private sector practices. Follow Teachers Updates Page On Facebook The event took place at the Gravity CBC Resource Center located along the Eastern Bypass…

Ksh20M School Property Damaged Amidst Church and Government Land Clash Igoji Boarding and Day Secondary School, run by the Catholic Church, has become the focal point of a contentious land dispute with the Meru County Government. The tension has escalated, culminating in a series of arson attacks. In the latest incident, property worth over Ksh20 million was destroyed and looted, marking the second attack in just two weeks. The school’s administration block was initially set on fire after being vandalized and looted, followed by a Monday morning attack even as eight suspects were being arraigned at Nkubu Law Courts. Legal…

CBC vs. 8-4-4: Expert Analysis on the Superior Curriculum Maurice Aketch, a deputy principal at Makini Junior School and author of several CBC-related books, has provided insights into the competency-based curriculum (CBC) system in Kenya. He believes that the adoption of CBC was a crucial step in enhancing the country’s education standards. However, he acknowledged that there are still areas of concern, particularly among those who remain skeptical of the system’s efficiency, even eight years after its implementation. Aketch emphasized that comprehensive public sensitization is essential to shift the mindset of CBC critics. He pointed out that the 2023 cohort…

Ruto Orders Treasury and TSC to Address Teachers’ Concerns and Prevent Strike President William Ruto has announced that the government is taking proactive measures to prevent a potential teachers’ strike that could disrupt the education sector. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the National Treasury, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the teaching fraternity to address the issues at hand and fulfill the government’s commitments. “We have also agreed that uh treasury TSC and the teaching fraternity sit together and look at the possibilities of ensuring that we Implement our commitment as Government so that we avoid unnecessary industrial…