Learning paralysed in public schools as teachers start nationwide strike.

Learning on the first day of the new term failed to take place in public schools across the country as teachers stayed away on the first day of a nationwide strike.
The strike was called by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).Children were turned away as teachers boycotted work while those who turned up stayed in staff rooms.
Several disappointed parents had to take back their children with calls on the government and teachers to sit down and reach an agreement.
Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion said the strike was successful as learning had been paralysed across the country.
"I want to thank the parents of the Republic of Kenya for keeping their children at home and the teachers of this country for boycotting work," said Mr Sossion.
He added that teachers would not return to work until they have signed a collective bargaining agreement with their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Mr Sossion said the union would not call off the strike and asked teachers to remain steadfast in the fight for their rights.
He said the government had not reached out to them in order to address the issue, insisting that teachers would not give in however long it takes.
HEADTEACHERS CAN REMAIN
"Headteachers can remain in school and take care of property, but they are together with us in this strike," said Mr Sossion.
He called on the Ministry of Labour to step in, saying that it is the only institution that could bring the employer and teachers together as he ruled out any engagement with the TSC.
"The strike is successful and I doubt … we can sit with TSC and get the solution alone.
"What miracles are they going to perform that they failed to do in the 26 meetings?" posed Mr Sossion.
He added that teachers would not sign any return-to-work agreement unless they have a collective bargaining agreement.
However, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi asked the teachers to respect a court order that was issued by the Industrial Court stopping the strike.
"We still expect and appeal to parents to take their children to school and teachers should be available to teach," said Prof Kaimenyi.
Prof Kaimenyi noted that teachers would be disobeying the court if they insisted on staying away from work and expressed confidence that appropriate action would be taken by the court on teachers who disobey the order.