Teachers’ Strike Remains On Despite Ksh.30B Government Disbursement

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) have reaffirmed their decision to proceed with a nationwide strike scheduled for Monday, August 26, 2024, despite the government’s recent disbursement of nearly Ksh.30 billion to the Ministry of Education. The unions’ stance highlights ongoing dissatisfaction with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over unresolved grievances that have persisted since July 16, 2024.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, KNUT and KUPPET expressed their frustration over the TSC’s failure to address five critical demands that were raised during previous negotiations. The unions criticized the TSC for not delivering tangible results on these demands, describing the progress made as insufficient. The only advancement cited by the unions was the implementation of Phase Two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The recent government funding was aimed at bolstering various educational initiatives, with specific allocations including Ksh.1.623 billion for the State Department for Basic Education to support free primary education for the upcoming third term. An additional Ksh.14.145 billion was designated for free day secondary education, while Ksh.6.109 billion was allocated for Junior Secondary Education. The State Department for Higher Education and Research received Ksh.5.197 billion for the Higher Education Loans Board and Ksh.2.82 billion for the Universities Fund Board.

Despite these allocations, the unions remain steadfast in their decision to strike. They have accused the TSC of failing to address their core issues, which include the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers into permanent positions, the promotion of 130,000 teachers awaiting rank elevations, the recruitment of 20,000 new teachers for Junior Secondary Schools, and the prompt remittance of third-party deductions. Additionally, the unions demand a commitment to begin discussions on a new round of the CBA.

The unions’ joint statement underscored their frustration with the TSC’s actions, which they claim have been marked by bad faith and indecisiveness. In response to the TSC’s assurances regarding the implementation of the CBA, the unions stated that while they will observe the immediate application of the agreement, the strike notices remain valid until their outstanding demands are fully addressed. They have emphasized that the decision to call off the strike lies with their National Governing Councils and National Executive Councils, who will assess the TSC’s commitment to resolving the grievances.

The unions’ decision to strike reflects a broader discontent within the teaching profession, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by educators in Kenya. The strike, scheduled to begin on August 26, 2024, will see teachers withdraw their labor, potentially impacting the education of thousands of students across the country.

In contrast, the TSC has asserted that it is actively reviewing the Career Progression Guidelines and ensuring up-to-date remittance of third-party deductions. The Commission also noted that teachers can now access medical services through the Teachers Medical Scheme and that resources have been allocated for the retooling of teachers to support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Furthermore, the TSC reported the promotion of 51,232 teachers through competitive promotions and plans to promote an additional 20,000 teachers annually through common cadre promotions.

The tension between the teachers’ unions and the TSC underscores a critical moment for Kenya’s education sector. As the strike looms, the focus remains on whether the TSC will take definitive steps to address the unions’ concerns or if the strike will go ahead as planned. The outcome will be closely watched by educators, students, and parents alike, all of whom are affected by the ongoing labor dispute.