KNUT expresses concern over interruption of learning due to Azimio protests

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has expressed concern over the impact the bi-weekly mass protests will have on the education calendar, saying the demonstrations have adversely affected learning in most schools.

This comes as schools across the country continue to bear the brunt of the anti-government demonstrations, disrupting a school calendar that is yet to recover from COVID-19 disruptions.

In a statement to newsrooms on Thursday, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu said the protests will affect learners from slums more than their counterparts in areas not affected by the demos.

The few learners who made it to various schools in Nairobi amid the opposition demos on Thursday were forced to leave early for their homes, after yet another wasted day where learning did not take place

“It is just the beginning of the term that we have begun to normalise the school calendar after COVID-19 disruptions, in addition, Grade six pupils have just transitioned to junior secondary schools, a process with its own challenges. Class eight pupils are preparing for KCPE. We feel the mass action is not timely at this particular time,” stated Mr. Oyuu.

The union hence called on the two opposing sides, President William Ruto and Raila Odinga, to embrace dialogue to unlock the stalemate in order to avoid further disruptions to the academic calendar.

"These demonstrations have adversely affected the smooth running of the education calendar in the affected cities and towns more so schools situated in slums," said the KNUT boss.

"We, therefore, call upon the involved parties to embrace dialogue to enable our school calendar to proceed uninterrupted."