Teachers Strike to Proceed, Says KNUT and KUPPET After TSC Talks
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) have stated that the across-the-nation strike scheduled for Monday, August 26, 2024, will go ahead as planned.
KNUT and KUPPET attributed the move in a joint statement on Wednesday to the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) failure to address five significant grievances made during a meeting on July 16, 2024, to settle the planned industrial action and issues affecting teacher welfare.
The unions said in a statement signed by KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and his KNUT counterpart Collins Oyuu that the Commission has once again failed to address our concerns.
They claim that the commissioners provided nothing substantial in five of the six irreducible requests we made.
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
Misori and Oyuu further stated that the only progress made during the meetings was the prompt adoption of Phase Two of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The Treasury earlier on Wednesday allocated about Ksh. 30 billion to the Ministry of Education to fund a variety of educational programs.
The funding included Ksh.1.623 billion for the State Department of Basic Education to facilitate free primary education in the upcoming third term, Ksh.14.145 billion for the same department to cover free day secondary education in the third term, and Ksh.6.109 billion for junior secondary education during the same period.
Additionally, the State Department for Higher Education and Research has received Ksh.5.197 billion for the Higher Education Loans Board and Ksh.2.82 billion for the Universities Fund Board.
The Commission confirmed that it had received the entire budgetary allocation for the CBA. As a result, teachers’ full benefits and arrears for July would appear on their August payslips.
The union asserts that the completion of the payroll on Wednesday would enable teachers to receive their paychecks promptly.
They noted, however, that TSC did not explicitly answer the two unions’ five key objectives.
The unions specifically demanded the immediate confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable employment, along with the promotion of 130,000 teachers who have undergone shortlisting and interviews for new grades and are awaiting rank elevations.
Furthermore, the unions demanded the quick hiring of 20,000 new teachers for junior secondary schools, the rapid repayment of all third-party deductions, and a commitment to commence discussions on the next round of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Teachers Strike Notices
KUPPET and KNUT have exhausted all options to have the employer resolve our issues amicably. The two unions assert that TSC has continually acted in bad faith and led us around in circles, resulting in a loss of trust.
The unions filed a labor dispute under Section 62 of the Labour Relations Act out of frustration, according to the joint statement.
As a result, the unions issued strike notices as per Section 76(c) of the Labor Relations Act. TSC pleaded with the unions to call off the strike following the CBA’s introduction, while it addressed the remaining five years through administrative action. However, the unions stated that they would monitor the implementation of the CBA beginning today and solicit members’ feedback on the unresolved concerns.”
The teachers’ union leaders also stressed that the choice to end the strike rests with their respective National Governing Councils and National Executive Councils, which will meet to assess the TSC’s commitment to meeting the lingering demands.
Given the circumstances, the strike notices issued by KUPPET and KNUT remain effective. The unions announced that they will rally their members, parents, and other Kenyans to support the struggle for teachers’ labor rights as well as Kenyan children’s right to a good education.
The unions have instructed all teachers to stop working after the notices expire at midnight on Sunday, August 25, until their grievances have received adequate attention.
TSC Commitment
Despite the teachers’ unions’ viewpoint, TSC confirmed in a subsequent statement that it is actively monitoring the teacher career progression guidelines and guaranteeing timely reimbursement of third-party deductions.
TSC further stated that teachers can now use both public and private hospitals through the Teachers Medical Scheme, and that the government has provided resources to retool teachers to facilitate the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Furthermore, the TSC stated that it has elevated 51,232 teachers through competitive promotions and will continue to promote an additional 20,000 teachers each year through common cadre promotions.
Teachers Strike to Proceed, Says KNUT and KUPPET After TSC Talks
