KCSE Countdown: Tough Times for Candidates as Teachers' Strike Heads into Week Two

With only eight weeks remaining until this year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, students face mounting challenges due to the persistent teachers' strike.

The strike, now in its second week, has already resulted in the loss of 36 lessons, translating to 1,800 minutes of critical instructional time.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has confirmed that its members will continue their industrial action into the second week, which could have severe consequences for students.

According to The Sunday Standard, the first week of the strike has already resulted in the loss of 36 lessons, equating to 1,800 minutes of instructional time.

This disruption follows an earlier three-week school closure due to floods in April, compounding the challenges for students.

The strike has raised questions about whether the KCSE examination timetable should be revised to accommodate the lost teaching time.

Some educators suggest that pushing back the exam start date could provide students with more time for syllabus completion and revision.

Silas Obuhatsa, Chairman of the National Parents Association, advocates for this approach, emphasizing the need for fairness and adequate preparation time for all students.

However, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman Willy Kuria believes the lost time can still be recovered within the current term.

He cites previous instances where schools managed to compensate for lost time and urges for immediate resolution of the strike to prevent further disruption.

Kuria warns that prolonged strike action could significantly hinder students' preparedness, stressing the importance of normalcy in schools this week.

In response to the strike, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has begun collecting school attendance data to take disciplinary action against striking teachers.

TSC has also announced it will not engage with KUPPET officials until the strike is called off. KUPPET, on the other hand, plans to continue the strike and seek court intervention regarding the suspension ruling.