The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that teachers will be paid their July and August salary increases by Friday this week.
According to a statement dated August 27 and signed by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba, this action is in line with the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) following the release of Ksh13.5 billion by the National Treasury.
“As proof the Government’s good faith and commitment to address teachers’ concerns, the Teachers Service Commission has worked round the clock to ensure that all public school teachers are paid their July and August salary raises by Friday this week. This in implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), after the National Treasury released KSh13.5 Billion for the same,” reads the statement.
The CS stated that to restore harmony in the education sector, they are engaging with KUPPET to call off the strike following the government’s implementation of the CBA.
His statement comes moments after the Employment and Labour Relations Court temporarily stopped the strike after the employer TSC moved to court.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
TSC corrects error that mixed up pay for grades C4 and C5 in recent promotions
Ogamba also emphasized President Ruto’s commitment to hiring 20,000 teachers by the end of the year to alleviate the staff shortage in public schools. Additionally, he mentioned that 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers will be converted to full-time positions in January 2025, following the government’s allocation of Ksh18.7 billion in the budget.
“In effect, all the major issues that had prompted strike notices have either been addressed, or are lined up for decisive conclusion within short timelines. We therefore beseech those teachers that may not have resumed work to return to their work stations to prepare candidates for national assessments and examinations, while also ensuring that the syllabus for other classes is covered to facilitate smooth transition across the various levels of education,” said the CS.
Ogamba also noted that the ministry has been actively overseeing schools reopening, with field officers visiting schools across the country since Monday, August 26 to evaluate the state of teaching and learning activities.
“Based on the reports that we have received from the field, learners continue to report to their respective schools for the third term,” he said.
The CS, while commenting on financial support for students in national polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, mentioned that the ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to initiate the distribution of Ksh3.3 billion in capitation, scholarship grants and loans for trainees.
By Frank Mugwe
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
