The Teachers' Service Commission (TSC) and Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) have been urged to withdraw cases filed in the Court of Appeal and engage in dialogue to end the ongoing teachers' strike.
Knut had filed a contempt of court case against TSC for allegedly disobeying court that directed TSC to pay teachers their salary increment.
TSC on the other hand is in court to challenge the 50-60 per cent pay increment that was awarded to teachers by an Industrial Court.
Speaking at Ogembo on Wednesday, Kisii University Charplain Fr Lawrence Nyaanga said the church was disappointed with the impasse in the education sector and called for humility from both sides for the sake of children.
“Our country is in a deep crisis and as members of clergy from Kisii, we urge TSC and Knut to withdraw cases in court and allow dialogue for a long lasting solution. It is unfortunate that children are sitting for their exams without having been taught in the final term,” he said.
Nyaanga said the cases were dragging innocent children to a state of disorder and urged government and teachers' unions to constitute an impartial committee of technocrats to arbitrate the escalating differences between the two parties.
“For the sake of the poor child in public schools, we urge that a committee of technocrats be constituted to arbitrate for a viable and impartial solution. That can only be achieved if the cases are withdrawn from the court,” he added.
The standoff between TSC and Knut has lasted for a month, with each side reluctant to obey specific court orders given at different times by the Appellate Court.