Author: Hezron Rooy

Confirm Interns and Implement CBA, Says KNUT Ahead of Teachers Strike The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has thrown its support behind a potential nationwide teachers’ strike in response to the government’s failure to honor a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) worth KSh 13.5 billion. Speaking in West Pokot, local KNUT representatives expressed their frustration with the government’s delay in implementing the CBA, which covers the 2023-2025 period. “We want the Kenya government to honor our CPA the 13.5 billion is just a small amount of money in Kenya,” Martin Sembelo, the Executive Secretary said. KNUT officials have urged the…

MPs Urge Teachers to Postpone Looming Strike Amid Financial Constraints As the reopening of schools approaches, tensions are escalating between teachers’ unions and the Kenyan government over unmet demands, leading to the possibility of a nationwide teachers’ strike. Scheduled for Monday, August 26th, the strike has prompted Members of Parliament (MPs) to urge teachers to reconsider their plans, citing the country’s current financial challenges. Several MPs have called for dialogue, emphasizing that negotiation is the best path forward given the economic constraints. Despite these appeals, teachers’ unions remain resolute, insisting that the strike will proceed if their demands are not…

Education Experts Highlight Mental Health as Major Concern for Teachers and Students The ongoing 2024 Teacher Conference in Nairobi, hosted by the Kenya Education Fund, has brought to light the significant mental health challenges facing both teachers and students in Kenyan schools. Participants at the event, which has gathered 80 teachers from schools across the country, emphasized the urgent need for educators to be equipped with skills in mental health and stress management. As mental health issues become increasingly recognized within the education sector, conference speakers pointed out that many teachers and students are struggling with mental health problems, often…

Govt Proposes 47 Tax Amendments to Fund Education and Prevent Teachers’ Strike In a bid to secure funds for critical sectors like education and avert a potential teachers’ strike, the government is urgently finalizing plans to reintroduce the contentious eco-levy tax as part of its new revenue-raising efforts. These measures aim to address a Ksh.150 billion deficit caused by the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024. The Tax Amendment Bill, which includes 47 clauses, is being finalized for reintroduction to Parliament. Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi disclosed during an interview with Citizen TV that the eco-levy, a major point…

Ruto Defends New University Funding Model Amid Public Concerns President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable students in Kenya receive adequate financial support for their higher education. In a recent statement, the President announced that the Ministry of Education will increase funding for scholarships and loans for extremely needy students to 95%. This comes amid public debate over the newly implemented funding model for higher education, which categorizes students based on their financial need and capability. The new model, which uses an improved means testing instrument, evaluates students’ financial aid needs based on…

President Ruto Awarded Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Leadership at Baraton University President William Ruto presided over the 42nd graduation ceremony at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. The ceremony, held on the university’s grounds in Chesumei Constituency, saw 1,267 graduates receive various degrees. As part of the event, the university conferred upon President Ruto an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Leadership. “I congratulate Baraton university for being the first to offer a degree in nursing. This has been a premier institution for the development of our human capital,” Ruto said. He noted that the university has produced…

Kenya’s Revised ‘Banding’ Model for University Funding As the 2023 KCSE cohort prepares to join universities and TVET institutions, the Ministry of Education has clarified the distribution of financial aid. President William Ruto recently emphasized that the government would increase support for scholarships and loans, particularly targeting extremely needy students. His assurance came with a promise to raise funding from 80% to 95% for the most vulnerable. However, this announcement coincides with the ministry’s implementation of a revised categorization system for assessing students’ financial aid needs. The ministry has introduced an enhanced means testing instrument, which evaluates socio-economic factors such…

TSC Exempts SNE Teachers from Extra Lessons in Regular Classes The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has fulfilled its commitment to exempt teachers handling special units in regular schools from taking on additional lessons in standard classes. This decision is aimed at allowing these educators to focus solely on their primary duties, enhancing the quality of education for students with special needs. In a circular numbered 11/2024, dated August 14, 2024, and addressed to all Curriculum Support Officers and heads of institutions, TSC Secretary and CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia confirmed this new directive. Dr. Macharia explained that the previous arrangement, where…

Labour CS Urges Teachers to Opt for Dialogue Amid Strike Plans The newly appointed Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has once again intervened in the ongoing teachers’ strike, advocating for dialogue as a means to resolve the issues at hand. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have both declared plans for industrial action on August 26. Additionally, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a seven-day strike notice, which threatens to disrupt university learning in the coming month. Call for Dialogue Given…

What KNUT is Demanding Ahead of August 26 Teachers Strike The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) recently engaged with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regarding the implementation of the second phase of salary awards outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2021-2025. Upon noticing that these awards were not reflected in the July 2024 pay slips, KNUT took steps to address the issue. On August 5, 2024, KNUT sent a letter to TSC (Ref: KNUT/TSC/60/62/2024) requesting a meeting on August 7, 2024, at 9:00 am. The Commission responded the following day (Ref: TSC/LLIR/KNUT/33/VOL X/40), stating that they would respond…