Some school heads from Kisumu are worried that the teachers’ go slow may affect fee payments which will in turn affect running of schools one teaching resumes.
The fears come after the nationwide strike that started on Tuesday after the government refused to heed to teachers’ demands concerning their salary increment.
Kisumu Day High School Head Gordon Muga claimed that parents are taking advantage of the strike to withhold payment of school fees arguing that this might affect operations once normal school operations resume.
Muga said parents have not paid their children's fees and that the school's bank account is not impressive.
"We have not received the free secondary education funds either, foreseeing a difficult time as the crucial third term progresses.
He asked the president and his deputy to intervene and end the stalemate as strike will also affect the payment of school fees.
Muga said this is what leads to many schools closing terms with huge arrears which in turn become a burden to them as it spills to the following terms.
Compounding their problems is the directive that they issue certificates to form four leavers who have accumulated huge arrears.
“When you see a form four candidate pleading with you to allow him take his national examinations, you cannot chase them away. Afterwards you can’t deny them their certificate and the school is thrown into debts,” said Muga.
But Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Chairman John Awiti said it is still too early to assume that parents will not pay fees.
Awiti however stated that if the strike persists, the holding back of fee payment is bound to happen.
“Fees are always a serious problem to parents and therefore when there is a nationwide strike, the uncertainty of normal learning tends to make them reluctant in paying school fees,” said Awiti.