The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Kisii branch has issued a stark warning to parents, advising them against sending their children back to school when the third term resumes. This advisory comes in light of an impending teachers’ strike, scheduled to commence on August 26, 2024. The strike, which has been endorsed by both KUPPET and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), is a result of unresolved disputes between teachers and the government.
Joseph Abincha, the Executive Secretary of the Kisii branch, highlighted that the absence of teachers due to the strike would compromise the safety and security of students. Abincha emphasized that the decision to keep students at home is aimed at safeguarding their well-being during a period when educators will not be available to provide supervision and instruction.
The underlying issues leading to the strike revolve around long-standing grievances related to the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Teachers are calling for the fulfillment of this agreement, which includes critical demands such as the confirmation of intern teachers and the confirmation of an additional 20,000 teachers. These demands have been central to the ongoing discord between the teaching profession and the government.
In his remarks, Abincha expressed frustration with the government’s handling of the education sector. He accused the authorities of undermining the teaching profession by failing to honor the terms of the CBA and by inadequately addressing teachers’ concerns. Abincha’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among educators who feel that their contributions and challenges are not being taken seriously by the government.
Abincha asserted that the teachers’ unions are prepared to escalate their actions if their demands are not met. “If the government will not honour the agreement, we shall speak in the best language that they understand, going to the streets,” he warned. This declaration underscores the unions’ readiness to intensify their protest actions if necessary.
President William Ruto has recently intervened in the situation, calling on key stakeholders to engage in dialogue to prevent the strike. During a State Music Festival concert in Eldoret, Ruto urged the Treasury, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), KUPPET, KNUT, and the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) to open discussions and find a solution that would avert the disruption of the school term.
The President’s appeal reflects the gravity of the situation and the potential impact of the strike on the education sector. A strike would not only halt academic activities but could also exacerbate the existing challenges within the education system, affecting students’ learning and progress.
As the strike date approaches, the tension between the government and the teachers’ unions remains high. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations will be crucial in determining whether the third term will proceed as scheduled or be disrupted by the industrial action.
Parents and students are left in a state of uncertainty, with many questioning how the strike will affect their academic plans. The call by KUPPET to keep students at home highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis. The situation remains fluid, with all eyes on the forthcoming negotiations to see if a compromise can be reached that will restore normalcy to the education sector.
In conclusion, the impending teachers’ strike presents a significant challenge for the Kenyan education system. The call from KUPPET to parents to keep students at home underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate action to address the grievances of the teaching profession. As negotiations continue, the hope is that a resolution will be found that will allow students to return to their classrooms without further disruption.
