KUPPET Insists on Return-to-Work Deal Before Ending Teachers Strike Despite Court Injunction.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has urged its members to persist in their ongoing strike despite a court order temporarily halting the boycott. On Tuesday evening, hours after the Labour Court in Nairobi suspended the teachers’ strike, KUPPET reiterated its call for the job boycott to continue.
Justice James Rika ordered the suspension of the strike on the same day, pending the resolution of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) case. However, KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori responded to the ruling by encouraging striking teachers to disregard any ‘distractions’ and maintain their stance.
He emphasized that the strike, which began on Monday, August 26th, is crucial for addressing the grievances of teachers and ensuring quality education for all Kenyan children.
In a press release, KUPPET stressed that the strike is not only about teachers’ rights but also about safeguarding the educational rights of Kenyan children.
The union thanked supportive parents and students who have joined in the fight for teachers’ rights. Misori underscored that as the strike entered its third day, the members should remain focused on their cause until a satisfactory return-to-work formula is achieved.
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“As the strike enters day three, we urge our members to ignore any distractions and continue picketing until the union shall have signed a return-to-work formula that addresses our grievances. The war continues,” said Mr Misori.
Nationwide Impact of the Strike
KUPPET reported that the strike has significantly disrupted learning across post-primary institutions nationwide, with teachers exercising their right to protest against oppressive employment policies.
The union confirmed the paralysis of learning in schools across the country, with reports from its 47 branches corroborating the widespread participation in the strike.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi issued a temporary injunction against the strike in response to an urgent application filed by the TSC on Monday, August 26. Justice Rika stated that the injunction would remain in place until the court revisits the matter on September 5.
The court’s order temporarily restrains KUPPET and its members from participating in the industrial action until further notice.
The strike has also highlighted a division between the two major teachers’ unions in Kenya. On Sunday evening, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) withdrew its notice of a strike, despite KUPPET’s decision to proceed with the job boycott.
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Both unions had initially issued notices for industrial action over issues including pay, delayed promotions, and working conditions. Collins Oyuu, the KNUT Secretary-General, clarified that the unions withdrew to allow the TSC sufficient time to address their primary demands.
The teachers’ demands include the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, teacher promotion, permanent employment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, and reinstatement of their medical cover.
KUPPET Insists on Return-to-Work Deal Before Ending Teachers Strike Despite Court Injunction.
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