Heightened anger is brewing among the teaching fraternity over what teachers describe as an early loss of focus by their unions.
The teachers are dismayed by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) ‘s decision to introduce a new clause in their upcoming engagement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
KUPPET last week indicated that that one of their agenda in the negotiation table will be restructuring of school structure under competency based Education, where the union wants primary section to run from pp1 to grade 8 then junior school be moved to senior school section.
In registering their anger, many tutors who spoke to the Education News digital platform wondered who bewitched the unions to lose focus each time and the opportunity to engage the employer.
ALSO READ:
“Our expectations are a pure negotiation on salary and allowances discussions. We care less about what level we teach,” said Alice Muhonja from Kericho County.
Teacher unions’ flexing of muscles before TSC is not new. During the 2021-2025 CBA negotiations, it is reported that TSC easily convinced the teachers’ unions to enter and later sign a non-monetary CBA after KNUT and KUPPET’s flexing superiority.
“We are quite aware what easily made TSC offer non-monetary CBA to the unions. Knut, KUPPET and Kusnet had no unified standing ground. Each sought favours from the commission. We can’t allow that this time round,” lamented Hannington Samboja from Voi.
Knut is reportedly preparing to counter KUPPET’s demands for restructuring the school structure under CBE. Many stakeholders in the Education sector are wondering whether the two unions know the boundaries of both TSC and MoE when it comes to their functions and mandates.
ALSO READ:
Onjiko Boys banned for three years over fielding ineligible players
“Schools’ organisation and structure fall under MoE, so the unions have no reason to waste their time engaging with TSC over it unless they want to soothe the egos of junior school teachers who are already placed under KUPPET,” added Joseph Ngahu, a retired teacher.
As the teachers’ unions prepare, their CBA paraphernalia informs that proposals will be made, teachers all over the country are sounding a warning that any negotiation that falls short of their expectations will lead to a massive onslaught against the top union officials.
By Kaptich Tarus
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
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
