46,000 Junior School Teachers Join KUPPET, Issues List of Demands

46,000 Junior School Teachers Join KUPPET, Issues List of Demands.

Union Membership and Agency Fee Deductions

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has received a major boost as 46,000 junior school teachers recently employed by the government are set to join the union. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has already begun deducting agency fees from these teachers, whose employment was converted to permanent and pensionable in January. The deducted amounts have been forwarded to Kuppet.

Consultative Meeting and Membership Validation

Today, Kuppet representatives will meet with junior school teachers to discuss their membership in the union. Acting Secretary-General Moses Nthurima confirmed that the union received the agency fees from their February salaries. Teachers are currently being encouraged to validate their membership through an online portal, in accordance with Section 49 of the Labour Relations Act. This law mandates that any worker benefiting from a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) must pay the equivalent of union dues. Most junior school teachers fall under a CBA negotiated by Kuppet, leading to widespread agency fee deductions.

Demand for Representation in Kuppet Leadership

Despite joining Kuppet, the junior school teachers have voiced concerns regarding their representation in the union’s national executive positions. Last year, they formed the Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (Kejusta) to advocate for their rights. Interim officials from the association confirmed that they had been invited by Kuppet for a consultative meeting in Nairobi, with requests sent to institution heads for permission to attend.

Initially, the teachers deliberated between joining Kuppet or the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut). They had requested over 100 positions from both unions, demanding equitable representation. Kejusta’s National Chairperson Omari Omari stated that all junior school teachers have been placed under Kuppet, yet their representation within the leadership structure remains insufficient.

Concerns Over Treatment and Leadership Slots

Omari highlighted that junior school teachers contribute over Sh40 million monthly to Kuppet but have been allocated only one leadership position—an assistant role to the senior secondary secretary. He accused Kuppet of neglecting its junior school members, stating that many face harassment and mistreatment in primary schools without union intervention. Cases of physical assault against junior school teachers by headteachers in Nyamira and Turkana counties were cited as examples of ongoing challenges.

While acknowledging that some junior school teachers are young and may make mistakes, Omari insisted that proper procedures outlined in the TSC Code of Conduct should be followed to address disciplinary issues. He expressed disappointment that Knut actively defends its members, whereas Kuppet has not taken a stand on incidents involving junior school teachers.

Upcoming Meeting and Future Demands

During today’s meeting with the Kuppet National Executive Board, junior school teachers plan to push for amendments in the union’s constitution to address their grievances. Omari emphasized that since Kuppet now receives significant financial contributions from junior school teachers, it is only fair that they receive proportional representation within the union.

Other issues set for discussion include compensation for the period they served as interns, promotion opportunities, and the autonomy of junior school administration from primary schools. The teachers insist that if their financial contributions are taken, they must also have a voice—”no taxation without representation.”

Previous Demands in Knut

During Knut’s delegates’ conference in Mombasa last December, junior school teachers had similarly demanded leadership positions. Omari had called for 500 slots nationwide as a precondition for their membership. He reiterated that junior school teachers have endured numerous unresolved challenges due to a lack of union representation and were advised to join or form a union to effectively voice their concerns.

In response, Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu urged patience, assuring the teachers that their demands were being addressed.

46,000 Junior School Teachers Join KUPPET, Issues List of Demands.

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