Teachers, Lecturers Gives Ultimatum, Threatens To Strike Over Schools Privatization
The education sector in Kenya is in turmoil as teachers and lecturers across the country have threatened to go on strike if the government decides to privatize some of the country’s public learning institutions.
In a joint press conference on February 7th, the education stakeholders led by the Secretary General of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Constantine Wasonga, warned that the privatisation of schools would make education unaffordable for many students.
The Secretary General expressed concerns that unscrupulous businessmen would use the privatisation programme as an opportunity to make a profit, rather than focusing on providing quality education.
The Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Collins Oyuu, called for a review of the management of public schools, pointing out that the current infrastructural development of these schools is lagging behind.
He also warned that the mushrooming of private schools and universities is affecting public admission, undermining the right to education and exploiting teachers and education personnel.
He noted that underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, serious teacher shortages, and stagnant capitation have led to the unfortunate debate to privatize university education.
The Ministry of Education has refuted reports that it has already started plans to privatize schools across the country, stating that the privatisation of prestigious schools like Alliance High School was only a rumour.
The Privatisation Bill 2023, which sets regulations for the privatisation of public institutions, is currently at the public participation stage.
Trade Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, has argued that privatising some of the country’s public universities would help address the financial crisis at these institutions.
He has been in talks with international investors who are willing to partner with the universities to privatise some of them.
However, the education stakeholders are not ready to give up control of the education sector and will resist any attempts to privatize schools.
The Secretary General of UASU warned that the government’s decision to privatize schools will have far-reaching consequences, and once the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is out, all other unions will also be out, and there will be no learning in the country.
Teachers, Lecturers Gives Ultimatum, Threatens To Strike Over Schools Privatization