On Friday, the Ministry of Education ordered all public schools to close for all learners except KCPE and KCSE candidates who are set to start their exams from October 12.
Earlier interviews with secondary school heads across the country indicated that even those who would wish to keep children in school were increasingly finding it difficult, citing lack of money to run schools.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) deadline for their no-pay-for-no-work-done edict also lapses Friday, according to a notice issued last week.
The commission said that by today, teachers who will not have resumed work will not be paid September salary.
Commission leadership steered clear of any further information, only saying that TSC had done its part.
Thursday, both primary and secondary school heads said they would close schools because some of their support staff had threatened to withdraw labour.
"Even cooks have threatened to boycott work because we are yet to pay their salaries for last month," said a school head in Vihiga County.
Efforts to reach Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi to comment on delayed release of schools' capitation funds were futile as his calls went unanswered.
A senior Government official, however, dismissed the claims.
"Actually, money is sent to children but as we speak there is no learning in most primary schools. Let them go back and resume work then money shall be wired," said the official who declined to be named.
A short text message from one of the schools notified parents that their children would be sent home today.
"To all Form One parents, kindly note that the girls will be released tomorrow (today) at 7am as we are unable to withstand pressure from striking teachers," reads the message sent by one of the principals from Nyamira County.
The Standard Thursday established that most schools will send their students home, only leaving behind candidates.
"We do not know what they (children) will be doing between today (September 18) and Friday next week when the court decides," said a boarding school principal in Nairobi.
Kenya Secondary Heads Association Chairman John Awiti declined to comment on the matter.
SOURCE: standardmedia.co.ke
