What KUPPET Has Gained So Far From Teachers Strike.
The current industrial action by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has resulted in substantial wins for teachers around the country. According to Kuppet, the strike has proved the strength of collective action in enhancing educators’ welfare while facing tremendous hostility from numerous places.
The demonstration resulted in the Ministry of Education allocating Sh18.7 billion to convert 46,000 Junior Secondary School intern teachers to permanent and pensionable contracts. Additionally, funding for teachers’ medical facilities is in place until March, ensuring their wellbeing.
According to Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori, the administration has addressed previously overlooked significant concerns as a result of industrial action. Misori reported that the teachers’ pressure on the administration had resulted in significant victories since the start of the strike five days ago.
Additional Teachers
Mr. Misori highlighted the government’s decision to hire an additional 20,000 teachers to address the teacher shortage, which will significantly benefit the education industry. Misori told reporters that the government has agreed to recruit more teachers, a move that will relieve the burden on the current workforce and boost the quality of education in the country.
Kuppet’s leadership emphasized the importance of consolidating achievements within established legislation and protecting teachers’ rights without using intimidation or terror tactics. He cautioned anyone involved in intimidating teachers, particularly through arrests and blackmail, to refrain from expressing themselves in a manner they desire during this industrial action, as this could hinder learning in their respective schools.
Misori stated that despite the hurdles, Kuppet remains dedicated to negotiating and would not allow the commission to prolong the strike to punish the union and massage the egos of its conspirators.’
“Kuppet is not afraid to negotiate.” The union is formed to negotiate. At the same time, we must not manipulate anyone; we will not bargain in fear, nor will they sell us their fear to prevent us from achieving our goal, he continued.
TSC’s dishonest tactics
Despite attempts to undercut their efforts, the union remains devoted to campaigning for fair treatment of teachers across the country. The union criticizes TSC’s dishonest tactics in prolonging the teachers’ strike and advocates for meaningful negotiations on their demands.
“If calling off the strike was a precondition for engagement, why did the TSC contact us knowing we hadn’t done so?” It is clear that the Commission was preparing us to depict the union as begging for a meeting or giving up on the strike,” Misori stated.
“Such nasty tricks only demonstrate that the Commission has no interest in peacefully settling the strike. The media has widely reported the TSC’s plan to punish teachers who participated in the strike.
Misori was disappointed that the TSC did not want to negotiate a return-to-work formula.
READ: TSC Implements New Teacher Salaries and Allowances: Phase Two 2021-2025 CBA
He described an example in which the union was notified of a court order via social media before being legally served. Misori said that the TSC deliberately undermined government efforts to resolve the strike.
Dr. Francis Atwoli criticized the TSC for undermining the return-to-work formula development process, which senior levels of government had initiated. He accused the commission of adding fuel to a burning house rather than putting out the fire.
What KUPPET Has Gained So Far From Teachers Strike.
