Finally back to School

Thank God the Government finally reached an agreement with public schools’ teachers unions and both primary and secondary school children are back in class after three weeks of strike. It is unfortunate that final exams at both levels have been pushed forward, which will force private schools who went on with their learning during the strike to adjust their budgeted because they had planned to close earlier. On the other hand it is an advantage to them because their revision period is extended giving them an upper hand in the exams as usual.

The Government is not off the hook yet the other headache they have to deal with urgently is the unhealthy issue of public hospitals doctors strike. The union has already paralyzed operations of public hospital, it is sad that the issue has not been given priority.

What a Mess!

I have never seen this before, public primary, secondary teachers and university dons on strike at the same time. Now Doctors at the biggest referral hospital in East Africa Kenyatta National Hospital also on strike!!  Public school teachers started their strike early this month when schools opened, hence children have been home since that time. Others went back to study on their own many traveling long distances to go to boarding schools. It is sad to note that many are being sent back home because of the deadlock between the Government and Teachers unions.

As these children miss classes, children in private schools continue learning and also preparing for final exams in a number of days. However many children in private school boarding are not safe because they are threatened by the striking teachers prompting some school heads to send them home.

Who will sort out the mess in this Country??? If the Government has not managed in three weeks, who will? Who will compensate parents? Why can’t the Government concede defeat and call for outside help or dissolve for a new Government to be elected instead of waiting till the extended election of March 2013????

The deadly clashes in Tana River is so shocking, it took so long for the Government to deploy armed forces to save the situation, after many have been killed including police.

Very disappointing!