Teachers Urged to Postpone Strike Amidst Finance Bill Review

Teachers across Kenya have been urged to delay their planned strike action in anticipation of the passage of a revised finance bill, which is expected to address their salary concerns. The call for moderation comes as the government faces significant fiscal challenges following the rejection of Finance Bill 2024 and the nullification of the 2023 Finance Bill by the courts.

During a recent event at Nyangulu Secondary School in East Gem Ward, Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo implored teachers to give both the government and Parliament time to address their grievances. Odhiambo, who was also present to hand over a new school bus, emphasized the need for patience as legislative processes unfold. “I want to ask teachers. Let us take things slowly. Allow us as Parliament to pass the reviewed finance bill 2024 and you will be paid in arrears,” Odhiambo stated.

The lawmaker highlighted the challenging fiscal environment that the government is navigating. With the previous finance bills facing legal hurdles, the government’s options for immediate fiscal adjustments are constrained. Odhiambo reassured teachers that Parliament is committed to addressing their concerns and that any contentious taxes, such as those on bread and sanitary pads, would be excluded from the revised bill.

“We understand that no country can function without taxes. However, we are also aware of the burden that some proposed taxes may place on citizens,” Odhiambo remarked. He expressed optimism that the new Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, would soon present a revised finance bill that would be more palatable to all Kenyans, including the teaching profession.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued a strike notice to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), announcing that industrial action will commence on August 26 if the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is not implemented. The union’s demands include the conversion of Junior Secondary School teachers to permanent and pensionable terms and the recruitment of 20,000 new teachers.

KNUT has also accused the TSC of failing to adhere to the terms of the CBA, specifically the second phase of the Addendum which was supposed to take effect from July 1, 2024. This phase includes adjustments to basic salaries and allowances for all teachers. The union argues that the TSC’s failure to implement these terms constitutes a breach of the agreement and has exacerbated the ongoing frustration among educators.

The union’s strike notice has heightened tensions, with teachers across the country anxiously awaiting a resolution. The planned industrial action underscores the critical nature of the CBA implementation and the broader issues facing the education sector. Teachers, who are pivotal to the nation’s future, are advocating for better working conditions and remuneration as part of their professional rights.

As the deadline for the strike looms, the government and Parliament are under increasing pressure to resolve the situation amicably. The revised finance bill, if passed, could provide the necessary financial framework to address teachers’ demands and prevent further disruption to the education sector.

In conclusion, the call for teachers to postpone their strike reflects the broader challenge of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for fair compensation. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the revised finance bill will satisfy both the financial constraints of the government and the legitimate demands of the teaching profession. As stakeholders await the new bill’s presentation, the hope is that a resolution can be reached that supports educators while ensuring the country’s fiscal stability.