Kuppet; Teachers’ strike still on.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) voted on Sunday to continue its strike by its members until their employer promoted teachers who had become stagnant in different job categories.
The National Governing Council (NGC) declared that the job boycott, which begins its second week on Monday, will intensify until the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) complies with their demands.
“We are fighting for more than just a Sh1,050 raise. Teachers’ efforts are being undercut by the lack of a review of career progression, according to Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori, who was speaking in Nairobi with NGC members in tow. Teachers have loans to repay and have invested in higher study.
“The employer has declined to recognize the effort and commitment of educators who have gone above and beyond to advance their education. He remarked, “They have denied these instructors the respect and dignity they deserve by refusing to elevate them.
As the union vowed to combat what it called “a systemic failure to recognise and reward the professionalism of Kenyan teachers,” he accused the TSC and the government of failing to solve the predicament of teachers.
One fundamental tenet underpins all of this conflict: respect for the dignity of the teaching profession.
We have taken legal action to voice our complaints, but it is obvious that the TSC prefers to punish and oppress educators than to deal with their issues.
The strike, which has now stopped instruction in almost every public school in the nation, has evolved from an industrial conflict to a “struggle for justice,” according to union leaders.
The question of career advancement is at the center of the conflict. Teachers who have continued their education and earned further degrees—such as Master’s and PhDs—are not receiving the advancements that TSC regulations state should be their right.
The union contends that the TSC’s denial of these teachers’ promotion is unjust and bad for Kenyan education going forward.
We are seeing a plot to devalue teachers in this nation and turn them into temporary workers. This can’t continue. We will not permit teachers to be treated like construction workers because they are professionals,” he declared.
Kuppet urged parents and principals of schools to refrain from making any “mischievous arrangements” with the TSC, stressing that educators were determined to remain out of the classroom until their demands were completely satisfied.
“This nation’s educators are willing to remain at home for however long it takes. We are pleading with the authorities to give this issue careful consideration. Our children’s futures and the quality of our educational system are in jeopardy, he declared.
Following the government’s most recent attempt to resolve the situation, which Kuppet alleges was hampered by the TSC’s refusal to participate in substantive negotiations, the union has adopted a more rigid stance.
The union has committed to fight for justice for Kenya’s teachers at the highest levels of government, announcing that they will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.
We are at a loss for what to do because the TSC has refused to participate in substantive negotiations. He declared, “We are willing to go to any measures in order to ensure justice for the teachers in this nation.
The organization claimed that some parents had sent their kids to school in spite of the caution.
He stated that every parent who decides to send their child to school is accepting responsibility for any potential outcomes.
Additionally, we are aware that certain schools are not following the regular schedule. Although we have faith that the principals are managing this carefully, parents still need to take accountability because we have provided ample counsel before.
Kuppet’s decision was made just a few days after the TSC turned down its request for negotiations to terminate the strike, which is already negatively affecting Standard Eight and Form Four pupils who would be sitting their final exams of the year.
Millions of youngsters who were compelled to stay at home with their parents while their peers in private schools continued their education are also being impacted by the paralysis in schools.
Kuppet; Teachers’ strike still on.
