Pubdate: Wed, 12 Nov 2003
Source: East African Standard, The (Kenya)
Copyright: 2003 The East African Standard
Contact:  http://www.eastandard.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1743

SCHOOL STRIKES CONDEMNED

Nairobi

Kenya National Union of Teachers yesterday condemned rampant strikes
in secondary schools and urged the Government to act firmly and
decisively to contain the situation.

Secretary-general, Mr Francis Ng'ang'a, said recent strikes had cost
the country millions of shillings as school buildings were burnt by
students.

Ng'ang'a declared that Knut would not condone indiscipline in schools
and urged the Government to punish all those involved in the acts.

He attributed the frequent strikes to drugs, which, he said, were
being sold to students by businessmen operating kiosks and shops
around the schools.

"Knut demands that no kiosks or shops should be allowed to operate at
the gate or near a school compound... these kiosks should be
demolished once and for all," he said.

Ng'ang'a said traders found selling drugs to students should be
arrested and charged. Their licences should also be cancelled.

At the same time, Ng'ang'a criticised those who had abdicated their
parental responsibilities to teachers, saying this should be shared.

"It is ironical that some parents want teachers to discipline their
children," he said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake