Archbishop John Njue questions motive behind teachers strike

Archbishop John Njue questions motive behind teachers strike

Catholic Archbishop John Njue has expressed deep reservations over the on-going teacher’s strike, which he described as purely unfortunate to the children of Kenya.

He said the root cause of the strike, which has paralysed learning throughout the country and resulted to closure of schools, should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“The on-going teachers’ strike leaves one wondering whether the real motive is salaries or there is a hidden agenda that is yet to be revealed?” he questioned.

Njue pleaded with teachers to go back to school, adding that the parties involved should settle the impasse amicably.

Speaking during the of 29th Embu diocesan anniversary at the Catholic Church Karorina in Embu Town, Cardinal Njue also pointed out at loopholes in the Constitution which he claimed had allowed for the standoff.

He called on Constitutional bodies charged with the mandate of aligning salaries for public servants to do their job.

“Bodies like the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) should be allowed to do their job when it comes to salary increments or otherwise,” he said.

He stated that a clash in Constitutional rights that allow teachers to picket, students to get education and constitutional bodies to discharge their mandate have caused the standoff in salary negotiations.

On her part, Embu women representative, Rose Mitaru, accused the opposition for allegedly hijacking the teachers’ issue to advance their personal agenda.

She, however, appealed to members of the parliamentary education committee to embrace dialogues in resolving the issue.

The teachers’ strike, which enters its fourth week on Monday, was complicated further when the government announced on Friday the closure of all public and private schools primary and secondary schools due to safety concerns.

 

By Peter Gachanja

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