KNUT Withdraws Planned Teachers Strike Hours to School Reopening
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called off the teachers’ strike initially scheduled to commence on Monday.
This decision, announced by KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu on Sunday, comes after extensive discussions within the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Following the withdrawal of the strike notice, Oyuu directed all teachers affiliated with KNUT to report to their respective schools for the third term. He communicated that the NEC had thoroughly deliberated the matter before reaching this conclusion.
KNUT’s NEC, during its meeting on August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike notice that was set to expire at midnight on the same day.
Secretary General Oyuu explained that they had begun addressing the unresolved issues administratively. Consequently, teachers were instructed to resume duty starting Monday, August 26, 2024.
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KNUT justified calling off the strike by noting that although the government had been slow in addressing their grievances, there was sufficient goodwill demonstrated to merit the decision.
The union’s demands included the permanent employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and the promotion of 130,000 teachers.
Background of the Strike Notice
Initially, KNUT had planned the strike to pressure the government into addressing several key issues.
These included the immediate implementation of the second phase of the 2021/2025 amended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed between the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) and the union.
Additionally, KNUT demanded the immediate remittance of third-party deductions owed to their respective organizations.
The union stated that it reached this decision after evaluating all available options regarding the ongoing concerns and the level of commitment shown by the government, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the teachers in advancing the education agenda.
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Although KNUT expressed reservations about some of the measures taken by the government and TSC, they acknowledged the positive intent to address the union’s demands.
Despite this decision, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) maintained that their strike would proceed as planned.
Government’s Response
In response to KNUT’s demands, TSC agreed to some of the union’s requests, including the promotion of 51,232 teachers. However, the process of implementing the amended CBA is still ongoing.
KNUT reassured its members of the union’s commitment to resolving the remaining issues, warning that the strike notice was only withdrawn, not canceled, and could be reinstated if necessary.
KNUT Withdraws Planned Teachers Strike Hours to School Reopening
