Public schools to reopen Monday

Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (centre) with Teachers Service Commission CEO Gabriel Lengoiboni at Jogoo House in Nairobi on Wednesday. Kaimenyi has directed all public primary schools be opened on Monday.
Pupils in public schools will now commence their studies after staying out of class for three weeks following a fresh directive by the government asking the learners to report to school on Monday 22.

In a statement to the Press Friday, Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi directed all public primary schools be opened after the government announced they be closed early this week.

"Pursuant to the statement I issued on 17 July 2013 on the indefinite closure of all public primary schools, I now announce the reopening of the said schools on Monday 22 July 2013," reads the statement.

On the issue of adjusting the academic calendar to compensate for the lost time suffered by public school pupils, especially those in Class Eight and Form Four, Kaimenyi said:

"We take note with concern that the teachers’ strike disrupted learning activities for three weeks. Government will hold a key stakeholders meeting on Tuesday July 23, 2013 in order to agree on how to redress the matter expeditiously."

The government said it is committed to ensuring that there are no further disruptions to the schools calendar and further advises that KCPE and KCSE examinations will be held on schedule.

The strike was called off moments after the government directed all schools be closed after Knut officials accepted a deal they had earlier rubbished as “ridiculous.”

This came after holding talks with Deputy president William Ruto and sealed a Sh12.3 billion deal for commuter allowance (Sh11.4 billion) and Special duty and readers allowance (Sh900,000 million) to be paid in two phases