Photo: The Star

Statement over teachers' strike as Kenya union officials walkout of the negotiations early July.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Thika branch has opposed extension of third term to December as proposed by the Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi.

Speaking in Thika on Friday, the branch executive secretary George Murimi said the learners should break for second and third term holidays in August and November respectively. Murimi said teachers are not to blame for the long strike that paralysed learning in public schools.

He said teachers should not be punished by making them compensate the lost learning hours. The Knut official said the government is to blame for the lost time.

He said attempts to compel teachers to work more hours is inappropriate and only those who will make special arrangements individually and be paid adequately will offer such services.

"No teacher should be forced to work against their will during holidays as this will inconvenience them and violate their rights as stipulated in the constitution," Murimi said.