World Teachers’ Day: JSS Teachers Seek Independent Union, Fault KNUT and KUPPET.
Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers have criticized the two primary teachers’ unions for neglecting their welfare concerns, calling for the formation of an independent union.
During a luncheon hosted by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on World Teachers’ Day, the teachers expressed dissatisfaction with their pay and poor working conditions, which they said remain unresolved.
At the luncheon, the teachers highlighted the rivalry between the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), accusing both unions of failing to prioritize their interests.
They felt that these unions were more concerned with competition for membership than with advocating for better welfare.
The teachers, through their national spokesperson Omari Omari, emphasized the need for independence and a dedicated union.
Omari argued that the current monthly salary of Sh17,000 was insufficient, particularly for those living in Nairobi, where it barely covered rent.
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Omari also urged the government to classify Nairobi as a hardship area for teachers due to the high cost of living, a proposal that Senator Sifuna supported.
Call for Better Living Conditions
Senator Sifuna pointed out that addressing the welfare of teachers should take precedence before discussing student welfare or the state of education.
He advocated for a broader discussion on the cost of living and the wages required to survive in Nairobi.
According to him, there was no comparison between housing costs in Nairobi and other regions such as Bungoma, reinforcing the need for fair wages.
Proposal for TSC Representation
Sifuna also recommended that teachers should have representation at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which he believed would facilitate better engagement between teachers and the commission.
He recalled that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) had suggested the inclusion of teachers in the TSC and emphasized that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) still supported this proposal.
The luncheon, attended by teachers from various schools in Nairobi, saw participation from KUPPET and TSC representatives, and Sifuna announced it would be an annual event.
MPs’ Contributions
Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje criticized the planned recruitment of 46,000 teachers across sub-counties, arguing that the allocation process was unfair to Nairobi.
He noted that certain sub-counties in the city, such as Embakasi with its four constituencies, were only given 12 slots, while others like Kibra received 12, and Njiru 11.
Mwenje proposed that constituencies within Nairobi should be treated as separate sub-counties to ensure equitable distribution.
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Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi praised the contributions of teachers to the development of professionals in various sectors, recognizing their critical role in shaping individuals.
He expressed his support for any initiative aimed at improving the welfare of teachers and increasing their earnings.
World Teachers’ Day: JSS Teachers Seek Independent Union, Fault KNUT and KUPPET.
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