- Learners in some regions still learn under trees or in half-built classrooms due to inadequate funding.
The Kenyan government’s recent decision to introduce chapatis in school meals has sparked reactions from citizens.
While it might sound like a heartwarming initiative, it distracts from the real issues plaguing the education sector.
On March 14, 2025, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) issued a seven-day strike notice threatening nationwide industrial action if the government fails to release over Sh39 billion owed to teachers.
Schools are also struggling due to delays in cash capitation, leaving parents to foot extra bills in a system that is supposed to offer "free" education. If education is truly a priority, why are schools still facing financial challenges?
The issue of teacher promotions is another thorn in the sector. The government had committed to promoting 1,000 primary school teachers to secondary school positions yearly, yet this promise has been largely ignored.
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Teacher shortages still persist, with understaffed schools struggling under an alarming student-teacher ratio. The problem is even worse in regions like the North Rift, where security concerns further deter recruitment.
Learners in some regions still learn under trees or in half-built classrooms due to inadequate funding.
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) also strains resources, with schools lacking labs, desks, and extra rooms. Grades 7, 8, and 9 also lack textbooks to support the curriculum.
KUPPET’s strike notice is not just a demand for better pay; it’s a call to fix a broken system.
If history is anything to go by, the government seems to take action when backed into a corner. So, will it take a teachers' strike to get real change, or will leaders finally prioritize education over PR-friendly policies? Time will tell—but chapatis won’t fix the cracks.
