Low turnout in Homa Bay schools despite Knut calling off strike

Most primary schools in Homa Bay reported a low turn-out of learners on the first day of third term despite the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) calling off the strike.

Parents reportedly failed to understand whether teachers at the primary schools are members of Knut or Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).

Some parents cannot differentiate between the two unions.

During a spot check by the Star at Lake Primary, headteacher Zablon Owala said teachers at the school arrived early with expectations of beginning to teach learners.

They were expecting to start lessons at 7 am after they got a notification the previous day that their strike had been called off.

The school has 1,600 learners but only 500 had reported to school on Monday.

The school has 35 teachers who were all present.

"Knut members are mainly primary teachers while Kuppet are secondary school teachers. We would want parents to know that to enable them to release their children for school," Owala said.

The same situation was witnessed at Shauri Yako Primary School where out of a population of 1,850 learners, less than 100 reported for lessons.

Deputy headteacher Fred Akello said all teachers at the school reported for duty.

He said some parents could have thought that teachers were still on strike.

At Lala Primary School, only seven learners went to class on Monday.

The school has a total population of 400 learners.

Deputy headteacher Dorcus Oguda who is also the Knut chairperson in Homa Bay Town constituency said the situation was the same across all schools in the region.

She described third term as a critical moment for learners saying schools have limited time to cover the syllabus.

Third term has nine weeks. Oguda called on parents to let their children go to school.

"This is a very short term therefore learners must be in school in preparation for national exams," Oguda said.