The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has announced a joint strike with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) set to commence on August 26. This escalation in industrial action follows mounting frustrations over the government’s failure to fully implement the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Emuhaya Constituency, has underscored the gravity of the situation, revealing that teachers have reached a breaking point with their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The joint strike notice, confirmed by Milemba during a media briefing, signals a significant confrontation between the teachers’ unions and the government. Milemba emphasized that the strike will see teachers downing their tools, which would inevitably lead to the closure of schools. This action comes in response to what the unions view as the government’s failure to honor previous agreements, exacerbated by recent financial adjustments that have adversely affected the education sector. Specifically, the dropping of the Finance Bill 2024 and the subsequent adoption of the Appropriation Bill have resulted in budget cuts that have impacted various State departments, including education.
The unions’ demands are extensive and reflect a range of grievances that have accumulated over time. Key among these is the negotiation of a new CBA that addresses several critical issues. Teachers are seeking post-graduate allowances, per diem compensation for games teachers, and enhanced risk allowances for Science teachers. Additionally, there is a call for special duty and acting allowances for teachers who have not been substantially appointed, the promotion of over 130,000 teachers, and the confirmation of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms. Another pressing demand is the hiring of 20,000 more teachers to address the significant staffing shortages in junior schools.
This looming strike has prompted recent discussions between Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and KNUT officials, including Secretary General Collins Oyuu and National Chairman Patrick Munuhe. The meeting aimed to avert the strike and ensure that schools can reopen smoothly for the third term. However, despite these discussions, the unions have remained firm in their stance, underscoring the depth of their discontent with the current state of negotiations and implementation.
The potential strike highlights a broader issue within the Kenyan education system, where financial constraints and administrative delays are creating significant challenges for educators. Teachers’ frustrations are compounded by the perceived lack of progress on issues that directly impact their professional and financial well-being. As the date of the strike approaches, the pressure is mounting on the government to address the unions’ demands and avoid further disruption to the educational sector.
With the start of the school term hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on the government’s response to the unions’ demands. The outcome of this situation will not only affect the immediate future of thousands of teachers and students but will also set a precedent for how industrial disputes in the education sector are handled in Kenya.
As the August 26 deadline draws near, it remains to be seen whether the government will take decisive action to meet the teachers’ demands or if the strike will proceed as planned, leading to a significant interruption in the education system.
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