Teachers Ready for Monday Strike: List of Demands and Unresolved Issues
Public school operations might face severe disruptions next week as discussions between the government and teachers’ unions have reached an impasse.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have expressed dissatisfaction with the Teacher Service Commission’s (TSC) response to their demands. The unions have stated that the TSC has addressed only one of their six key demands.
Teachers in Rarieda and Bondo subcounties are prepared to join the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) in industrial action. The executive committees of the union’s Rarieda and Bondo branches have confirmed the completion of all necessary arrangements, including notifications to the police, ahead of Monday’s strike.
The Rarieda Branch Executive Secretary, Willis Odhach Achola, emphasized the union’s firm stance, urging Knut headquarters not to cancel the strike unless the government meets all the conditions stipulated by teachers to their employer, the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).
Achola communicated this during a press briefing at Ruma Primary School, following an executive committee meeting on Thursday. He expressed concerns over the employer’s actions, which he described as frustrating for the teachers.
“We urge and demand from Knut that the strike be on until the six conditions that teachers mandated Knut to give TSC are implemented,” Achola said.
Teachers’ Strike Plans Finalized
The Embu KUPPET and KNUT Governing Councils revealed that they have finalized plans for the nationwide teachers’ strike scheduled to start on Monday, August 26.
During a joint briefing on Thursday, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the industrial action that the councils’ top bodies had initiated. They emphasized that any members who defy this directive will be considered traitors.
The officials urged parents not to send their children to school, stating that no one would be accountable for their welfare during the strike. They instructed teachers to remain at home or engage in personal activities until further notice.
“We are asking teachers across the county to stay at home or engage in other personal activities until such a time when they will get another directive from us,” said KNUT Executive Secretary Josphat Kathumi.
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KNUT Executive Secretary Josphat Kathumi, alongside KUPPET’s Rogers Murimi, indicated that the strike would persist until all concerns related to the second phase of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are resolved.
In light of these concerns, KUPPET Executive Secretary instructed school representatives to ensure that all teachers avoid accessing school premises from August 26 until further notice.
Furthermore, the leaders encouraged teachers in private schools to follow their lead and advocate for improved working conditions.
Partial Resolution Achieved
The TSC announced that funding for the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will be available starting July 1, 2024. This is the only issue that seems to have been resolved according to the recent discussions. The commission also reported progress on several other matters, including:
- Review of career progression
- Updated remittance of third-party contributions
- Access to medical schemes for teachers
- Retooling of teachers for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)
Additionally, the commission has promoted 51,232 teachers through competitive promotions and 20,200 teachers annually on the common cadre.
Unresolved Issues
Despite these developments, KNUT and KUPPET continue to highlight unresolved issues, which include:
- Confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable positions
- Promotion of 130,000 teachers
- Recruitment of 20,000 new Junior Secondary School teachers
- Prompt remittance of all third-party deductions
- Commitment from TSC to begin discussions on a new round of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The unions have criticized the commission for failing to address these critical issues. According to KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu and KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori, the commission’s response to five of the six demands was inadequate.
The unions have called for the immediate confirmation of current intern teachers to permanent positions effective July 1, 2024, as well as the payment of their salaries, which are currently in arrears.
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George Ajwang, the Executive Secretary of the Bondo Branch, reported that the union has informed the local police about their intentions. On Monday, teachers plan to hold peaceful demonstrations in Bondo town and other urban centers to push for the fulfillment of their demands.
Ajwang’ noted that no school in the area would remain operational and advised parents to keep their children at home.
The frustration among teachers extends to healthcare access. Isaiah Okeyo Makoulo, Chairman of Bondo Knut, highlighted the difficulties teachers face when seeking medical care. He reported that TSC’s failure to remit medical deductions often turns teachers away from facilities.
This issue stems from the loss of their medical allowance after the introduction of the medical scheme.
Historical Context
The struggle for improved teacher salaries has a long history, dating back to 1963 when Joseph Kioni, the first Secretary General of KNUT, led a strike demanding higher wages before Kenya’s independence. Since then, KNUT has organized major strikes in 1966, 1969, 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2009.
President William Ruto has urged all stakeholders to collaborate and prioritize the interests of students while respecting teachers’ entitlements. Despite this, efforts to resolve the current dispute have yet to yield tangible results.
Teachers Ready for Monday Strike: List of Demands and Unresolved Issues
