The ruling followed a case submitted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which the industrial court had slotted for mention on September 5, 2024.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) has temporarily halted the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike until the matter is heard and determined.
The ruling followed a case submitted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which the industrial court had slotted for mention on September 5, 2024.
The court’s decision comes as a win for students, whose learning was put in jeopardy for the Third Term, with candidates set to write their national examinations later in the term.
Meanwhile, the National Treasury on Tuesday, August 27 released Ksh13.5 billion meant for teachers’ salaries as the nationwide strike announced by the Kenya National Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) continued to paralyze learning.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) led by their leaders National General Secretary Akelo Misori, Jeremiah Omboka Milemba (chairman) and his Vice Julius Korir address the press in Eldoret. /STANDARD DIGITAL
The Ministry revealed that the money would cover salaries for July and August.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had earlier expressed that a solution would be arrived at following extensive stakeholder engagement.
‘’As the Cabinet Secretary for Education in Kenya, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all the children as they embark on their journey back to school for the third term. May this term be filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development.’’ Ogamba noted.
The teachers’ unions were yet to comment on the matter by the time of publishing this article. The strike began on the first day of the third term on Monday, August 26, with teachers staying away from classrooms and taking to the streets in protest.
Despite pleas from the government for the union to call off the industrial action and return to schools pending further discussions, the strike continued.
From Busia to Baringo, Machakos to Meru, post-primary teachers across the country refrained from entering classrooms, with teachers in some cases showing up at schools, not to teach, but to ensure that no learning was taking place.
They were determined to have issues related to their welfare and well-being resolved before returning to work.
KUPPET Secretary-General Nyamira Branch, Lewis Nyakweba, and KUPPET Executive Secretary Nyeri Branch, Francis Wanjohi, expressed the union’s resolve to stand firm until their demands are met.
The strike was prompted by the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) failure to address a list of 10 demands outlined in the union’s strike notice earlier this month, and they include the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Others include the promotion of teachers, the absorption of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers permanently, and the reinstatement of their medical cover.
However, the government argued that these issues should not be the basis for the strike, with CS Ogamba stating that concerns regarding access to medical cover, career progression guidelines, and promotions are already being addressed administratively by the TSC.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Belio Kipsang, urged teachers to report to school as the government has addressed most of their grievances.
The Ministry of Education called on striking teachers to reconsider their actions as schools reopen, emphasizing that the third term is a crucial period in the academic calendar, especially for high school students preparing for national assessments and examinations.
