The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has breathed fire over the recent events at Litein High School, demanding the immediate withdrawal of every single teacher from the institution.
The union’s drastic move is a direct response to what it has termed the public humiliation and complete disregard for its members, who were allegedly attacked and had their property destroyed.
The KUPPET Executive Secretary for Kericho County, in a furious statement, made it clear that the dignity of the teaching profession had been trampled upon.
She stated, “We need teachers to be respected. We need the dignity of teachers to be held high.”
The union official explained that the language used by parents and their lawyer during the dispute showed that “teachers are disregarded,” forcing the union to take a hardline stance.
The KUPPET official revealed the financial cost of the unrest, which she cited as the final straw.
She announced that the teachers’ personal properties that were destroyed amounted to a staggering KSh 4.8 million.
“To be exact,” she clarified, “it is KSh 4,865,300.” This massive financial loss has now become a central point in the union’s demand for action.
The teachers’ union has now issued an ultimatum, declaring that its members are not prepared to return to the school or receive any students until the crisis is resolved.
The KUPPET official insisted that all parties must “go back to the drawing board” and hold fresh discussions before any teaching can resume. “We are not ready to even receive those students,” she firmly stated.
The KUPPET secretary concluded with a final, non-negotiable demand to the teachers’ employer.
“I call upon the Teacher Service Commission to recall all the teachers from Litein High with immediate effect,” she declared.
The union’s action has now created a full-blown crisis, effectively shutting down the school and leaving the fate of its students hanging in the balance.
By Kenyans