Mombasa: Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Migos Ogamba, has called on university lecturers to obey court orders and resume teaching to pave way for ongoing negotiations with the government over their grievances. Speaking in Mombasa after a meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Ogamba emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the lecturers' strike that has disrupted learning in public universities for weeks.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ogamba stated that the government has shown good faith by implementing part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. He urged lecturers to reciprocate and return to classes, highlighting the impact on new first-year students who have not attended any lessons since reporting. The CS confirmed that the government had released Sh2.73 billion to settle pending dues owed to lecturers, funds that are already in their accounts.
Ogamba also mentioned that negotiations are ongoing to conclude the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement and resolve the dispute. He reminded lecturers that university employers had obtained court orders against the industrial action and urged them to comply while discussions continue. He expressed appreciation for universities where teaching had already resumed and thanked the lecturers who have returned to their duties.
Furthermore, Ogamba pointed out that the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), which has 120,000 members, had already called off its strike and returned to work. He appealed to the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and the University's Academic Staff Union (UASU) to prioritize learners and follow suit while talks continue.
Separately, CS Ogamba addressed an incident at a Kilifi school where some donors allegedly conditioned food donations on children reciting prayers. He stated that the government had stopped the practice and investigations were underway. He stressed that using food to influence the faith of children is unacceptable and added that the Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Interior to prevent similar incidents. The government will also strengthen the school feeding program in Ganze to ensure learners receive proper support.