The Chairman of the Parliamentary budget Committee Maragua MP Elias Mbau has said the government should use money from the Supplementary Budget to pay the striking teachers. The MP asked the teachers to enter into a dialogue with the government and accept the outcome of the negotiations for the sake of the students.
The MP said parliament had agreed to discuss the issue in one of its last sessions and was ready to help solve the issue. “In one of the last sessions, we set aside 30 minutes to discuss this issue. The government can approach parliament because we are willing and ready to help. Chest thumping on either side will not help,”Mbau said.
Speaking yesterday in Maragua, Mbau said Knut and the Ministry of Education must stop "grand standing" and agree to negotiate to end the stalemate. “As much as the teachers have a right to go on strike, it is prudent that they accept to negotiate," he said. “Teachers are supposed to fight for their rights, but to win the hearts of Kenyans, they must agree to speak with the government to resolve the stand off." It is the children that are suffering the most, the MP said. Mbau asked the teachers to maintain peace even as they agitate for their pay hike.
Mbau called for flexibility and critised both parties for walking out of the negotiating table. Meanwhile, Murang’a South DC Muktar Ali asked school boards to ensure there is maximum security in schools "during this time of the strike." Speaking at the same event, Ali asked school boards to ensure school property was protected at this time that learning has been disrupted.
He was alluding to an fire incident that destroyed a dormitory at Kaharo Secondary school five days ago. Students who had reported to the school are suspected to have started the fire, which destroyed over 100 beds. “The board of governors must see to it that enough security is kept in all schools to avoid any destruction,” the DC said.