A nationwide teachers’ strike is set to commence tomorrow after last-minute negotiations between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) failed to yield a resolution. This development comes after a series of talks aimed at resolving a longstanding dispute between the two entities, centered around a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that has been in the works for some time.
The breakdown in negotiations marks a significant escalation in the standoff, as educators across the country express mounting frustration over unresolved grievances that they claim the TSC has failed to address adequately. The failure to reach an agreement has heightened tensions within the education sector, with both parties pointing fingers at each other for the impasse.
Core Issues at the Heart of the Dispute
The central issue in the dispute revolves around the CBA, which has been a point of contention between KUPPET and the TSC for several months. Last week, the TSC offered KUPPET Ksh 13.3 billion as part of the CBA, a proposal that was intended to address some of the financial concerns raised by the union. However, despite the significant financial gesture, KUPPET rejected the offer, arguing that it fell short of addressing the broader issues that had been tabled in the negotiations.
According to KUPPET, the TSC’s proposal was inadequate because it sidelined other critical issues that had been part of the original negotiations. These issues include calls for better working conditions, promotions, and the harmonization of allowances. KUPPET officials have accused the TSC of reneging on earlier commitments, leaving several key demands unaddressed.
KUPPET’s Response to the TSC’s Offer
Speaking to the press, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori expressed disappointment over the TSC’s handling of the situation. Misori emphasized that while the union had been negotiating in good faith, the TSC’s actions demonstrated a lack of commitment to resolving the broader issues that affect teachers daily.
“We have been negotiating in good faith, but the TSC’s actions show a lack of commitment to resolving the broader issues that affect our teachers daily,” Misori stated. He added that during the meetings, the TSC was “not committal to addressing any of the issues we have tabled.” This, he argued, left the union with no choice but to proceed with the strike action, as the offer on the table did not meet the expectations of the teachers they represent.
TSC’s Stand on the Issue
On the other hand, the TSC has maintained that the Ksh 13.3 billion offer is a substantial step towards addressing the financial aspects of the CBA. The commission has argued that the proposal reflects their commitment to improving the financial welfare of teachers. However, the TSC has remained silent on the union’s claims that other grievances, particularly those related to working conditions and promotions, were ignored.
The TSC’s insistence that the financial offer is a significant step forward has done little to placate the concerns of KUPPET. The union’s leadership has accused the commission of focusing narrowly on financial issues while neglecting the broader demands that have been a central part of the negotiations.
Implications of the Strike
As the strike looms, teachers and students across the country are preparing for a significant disruption to the education sector. KUPPET has urged its members to stand firm until a satisfactory agreement is reached, emphasizing the need for unity among educators during this critical time. The union has also called on the government and other stakeholders to intervene in the dispute to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, the TSC has called for continued dialogue, expressing hope that an agreement can still be reached to avoid the strike. The commission has urged KUPPET to return to the negotiating table, stressing that a prolonged strike would be detrimental to the education sector, particularly as the country seeks to recover from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the unfolding situation, as educators and students await the outcome of what could be one of the most significant industrial actions in Kenya’s education sector in recent years. The strike, if it proceeds, will not only disrupt learning but also set the stage for a broader debate on the state of education in the country and the treatment of teachers within the system.
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