On June 16, President William Ruto directed TSC to hold talks with the teachers’ unions with a view to resolving an industrial dispute on various issues affecting the welfare of public school teachers.
The Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) announced on Wednesday, August 21 that it resolved some of the thorny issues raised by the teachers who had earlier vowed to proceed with the planned teachers’ strike after talks with the government collapsed.
In a statement, TSC revealed that it had reached an agreement with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) for the implementation of the second phase of the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).
On June 16, President William Ruto directed TSC to hold talks with the teachers’ unions with a view to resolving an industrial dispute on various issues affecting the welfare of public school teachers.
Teachers during a past strike. /BBC
“The directive came on the back of a strike notice issued by the teachers unions over the contentious issues. The TSC invited the three teacher unions (KNUT, KUPPET and KUSNET) to talks here today to discuss the issues. Top of the agenda was the delayed implementation of the reviewed 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs),” read the statement in part.
Following the discussions, TSC announced that the Government provided funds for the implementation of the 2nd phase of the CBA with effect from July 1, 2024.
Other issues that the trade unions had issues but have been resolved by the commission include a review of the Career Progression Guidelines, a matter TSC said is ongoing.
Other issues resolved by the commission include up-to-date remittance of third-party deductions and access to both public and private hospitals by teachers under the Teachers Medical Scheme.
TSC also announced the government’s decision to provide adequate resources for the retooling of teachers for the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The report by TSC further revealed that about 51,232 teachers had already been promoted. Some 51,232 teachers are under competitive promotions and a further 20,000 are to be promoted annually on the common cadre.
The commission also announced that the teachers’ unions took note of its position and agreed to consult their internal organs to withdraw the strike notice.
“Effectively, the unions have noted the TSC position and agreed to consult their internal organs with a view to withdrawing the strike notice. We, therefore, wish to thank the unions for engaging the Commission to ensure non-disruption of learning in schools during the Third Term, 2024,” added the statement.
TSC further thanked the Government for providing adequate resources for the CBA and all other teacher programmes despite the harsh economic environment.
The statement came after both KNUT and KUPPET unanimously rejected the offers made by the government and vowed to continue with the strike.
A strike notice was filed on August 19 despite intervention by President Ruto who announced on August 16 that the government was working to implement the second phase of the CBA that would see teachers get a salary increment in a bid to avoid the looming strike come the Third Term.
The Head of State revealed that the government came into an agreement with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and KUPPET to sit together with the TSC and the National Treasury to avoid the strike.
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