Kenya's Govt Threaten's Striking Teachers

Kenya's Empty Classrooms

Kenya's government has threatened to sack striking teachers and replace them with graduates and retired teachers if they do not return to work by Friday.

The ultimatum came after teaching unions rejected a government pay offer to end the three-week strike, which has closed public schools.

The teachers are demanding a wage increase of between 100% and 300% - the pay rise offered was nearly 4%.

On Thursday, police used tear gas to disperse stone-throwing undergraduates angered by the strike.
Kenya's doctors are also taking industrial action, and public hospitals are only taking emergency cases.

Meanwhile, lecturers have agreed a deal and universities will open on Monday.

On Wednesday, the Kenya National Union of Teachers rejected the government pay offer as a "mockery", Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper reports.

In response, the cabinet said it would employ 100,000 newly graduated teachers and retired teachers under 65 years of age.

Ministers also agreed to extend the school term by three weeks to 23 November to allow students to make up for lost time in preparing for end-of-year exams.

However the disputes were resolved and no jobs were lost.

Source: BBC