Govt Provides Sh18.7 Billion to Intern Teachers while KUPPET Strike Continues.
While the statewide teachers’ strike continues, the government has set aside Sh18.7 billion to hire intern teachers.
The investment was announced by Julius Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising educational standards and making sure teachers are fairly compensated.
“I am happy to report that Sh13.5 billion would be used to execute the CBA on wage increases, and Sh18.7 billion will be used to hire intern teachers. According to Ogamba, “We are dedicated to raising educational standards and making sure our teachers are fairly compensated.”
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) made this proclamation in defiance of a court ruling that was issued on Tuesday, refusing to call off the strike. Officials from KUPPET have promised to prevent teachers from entering schools until a return-to-work contract has been signed.
The strike was ordered to stop by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, but KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori claimed that the work stoppage will go forward.
On September 5, 2024, the court had given KUPPET the order to resume work awaiting further instructions. Misori, who has criticized the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for its combative stance, has urged the union’s lawyers to contest the court decision.
Concerns about teacher promotions, employing intern teachers, implementing the 2021–2025 CBA, hiring junior secondary school teachers, and restoring their health benefits have all been brought up by KUPPET.
TSC advised KUPPET to end the strike after rejecting their request to discuss a return-to-work formula on Thursday. The TSC’s Director of Legal, Labor, and Industrial Relations, Cavin Anyour, said that the strike will be suspended to allow for further talks because the commission had already addressed all of the earlier issues.
Anyour stated, “The Commission believes that in order to facilitate ongoing bipartite negotiations on any outstanding issues, the Union should abide by the court’s order and withdraw the ongoing industrial action.”
Francis Atwoli, the head of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), criticized the commission for scaring teachers with the court decision and urged TSC to negotiate a return-to-work formula with KUPPET.
According to Atwoli, the court order could only have been successful if it had been given before to the start of the strike. He urged TSC to hold talks with KUPPET in order to settle the conflict and put a stop to the walkout.
“The government has already committed to the return-to-work formula; TSC should show humility and join KUPPET at the negotiating table.” The strike will go on if TSC won’t negotiate, according to Atwoli.
Govt Provides Sh18.7 Billion to Intern Teachers while KUPPET Strike Continues.
