Learning in secondary schools across Kenya remains at a standstill as the teachers’ strike led by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) enters its second week. Despite a court order mandating the suspension of the strike, the KUPPET National Governing Council has declared that their industrial action will continue until their demands are met, leaving millions of students without access to education.
KUPPET officials held a National Governing Council meeting on Sunday, where they reaffirmed their decision to maintain the strike. The officials urged parents to collect their children from schools as no teaching activities are expected to resume in the near future. The strike, which has disrupted learning across the country, was initially called to push for the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that KUPPET negotiated with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The CBA, signed in 2021, promised better remuneration and working conditions for teachers, a move that was expected to boost morale among educators and improve the quality of education. However, KUPPET has voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to implementing the agreement, particularly regarding the salary increment that they argue falls short of meeting the needs of teachers amid rising inflation and the high cost of living.
Unresolved Grievances
KUPPET has outlined several grievances that they insist must be addressed before they can call off the strike. Chief among these is the perceived inadequacy of the salary increment proposed in the second phase of the CBA implementation. According to KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori, the increment does not sufficiently cover the economic realities that teachers face, especially given the recent rise in inflation rates that have significantly eroded purchasing power.
Misori emphasized that the union is not just fighting for salary increments but also for the overall welfare of teachers, including better working conditions and comprehensive health insurance coverage. He accused the government of neglecting the plight of educators by offering terms that fail to reflect the critical role they play in shaping the nation’s future.
The government, on its part, has expressed concern over the continued strike, highlighting the negative impact on students’ education, especially those preparing for national exams. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has urged KUPPET to return to the negotiating table, assuring them that the government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the issues at hand. Machogu warned that continued disruption of learning could have long-term detrimental effects on the education sector, which is already grappling with the aftermath of previous closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal Tussles and Public Outcry
The strike has also sparked a legal battle between KUPPET and the government. Last week, the Employment and Labour Relations Court issued an order for KUPPET to suspend the strike, arguing that industrial action should be the last resort. However, KUPPET has defied the order, arguing that the court’s decision does not address the core issues affecting teachers.
The prolonged strike has drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders, including parents, who are frustrated by the continued disruption of their children’s education. Many parents have called on the government and KUPPET to resolve their differences swiftly to avoid further interruptions to the academic calendar.
Some education experts have also weighed in, warning that the strike could exacerbate the already widening inequality in education access, particularly for students in rural and marginalized areas who rely heavily on public education.
Way Forward
As the strike enters its second week, the pressure is mounting on both the government and KUPPET to find a resolution. The union has vowed to keep the strike going until their demands are fully addressed, while the government remains hopeful for a negotiated end to the impasse. With the academic year in progress and national examinations looming, the stakes are high, and a swift resolution is crucial to prevent further harm to Kenya’s education sector.
The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether the deadlock can be broken, and normalcy restored in schools. As it stands, the ball is in the court of both the government and KUPPET to demonstrate their commitment to the welfare of students and educators alike.
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