KNUT disputes allegations that it is working with TSC.
Collins Oyuu, the secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), has denied rumors that the union is closely collaborating with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
This came after the union counseled its members to engage the administration and work toward a solution rather than continuing the current nationwide teachers’ strike.
Speaking on Saturday at the Kyuso teachers’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kyuso town, Mwingi North, Oyuu stated that the union is acting morally rather than trying to win over people.
“Seriously, we will keep bringing up teacher concerns directly with the employer. We need to protect the status of teachers and have a highly competent workforce,” he declared.
According to Oyuu, the teaching fraternity overwhelmingly supported the decision to call off the strike, saying it was made with the best interests of the employees in mind.
When the KNUT decided to halt the strike on August 25, it declared that it had taken into account all available choices for the current situation’s developments as well as the degree of commitment from the government, TSC, and the teachers’ position in advancing the education agenda.
KNUT stated that it feels there is goodwill to satisfy the demands made by the union, even though it is not convinced by some of the actions taken by the government and TSC to address urgent problems.
Among these demands were the following: the immediate implementation of the second phase of the 2021–2025 amended CBA signed by TSC and KNUT; the immediate remittance of the third-party deductions accrued to their respective organizations; the permanent employment of 46,000 junior secondary school teachers; and the promotion of 130,000 teachers.
The teachers’ employer, according to KNUT, disclosed to TSC that it had promoted 51,232 instructors, sent in the third-party deductions, and was in the process of putting the amended CBA into effect.
Concurrently, educators belonging to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have persisted in protesting in public, calling for improved health care, confirmation of junior secondary school (JSS) teachers’ permanent and pensionable status, and other demands.
Oyuu has stated that 90% of the demands made by the KUPPET teachers have been met, underscoring the fact that the JSS teachers would soon have their status as permanent employees recognized.
KNUT disputes allegations that it is working with TSC.
