- KNUT Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu has urged teachers to report hospitals providing poor services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.
- He said facilities demanding direct payments despite being contracted under SHA should be removed from the approved panel.
- Oyuu also opposed the return of corporal punishment and updated teachers on the review of Career Progression Guidelines.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu has urged teachers across the country to report hospitals providing poor services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme, saying facilities that fail to meet the required standards should be removed from the approved panel.
Speaking during the funeral of Rose Nangunda, the mother-in-law of KNUT Second National Vice-Chairperson Aggrey Namisi Murumba, at Bokoli in Webuye West Constituency, Oyuu said teachers should not be required to make out-of-pocket payments at hospitals contracted under the SHA arrangement.
Oyuu urged teachers to promptly report hospitals demanding direct payments or offering substandard healthcare despite being accredited under the SHA programme.
“Teachers should report any hospital that offers poor services or demands direct payment despite being under the SHA arrangement. Such facilities should not continue serving our members,” he said.
On the debate surrounding learner discipline, the KNUT Secretary-General reiterated the union’s opposition to the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools.
He described caning as an outdated disciplinary method that is inconsistent with modern education policies and child protection standards.
“The union does not and will never support the return of caning in schools. It is an archaic practice that has no place in today’s education system,” he said.
Oyuu maintained that parents have the primary responsibility of instilling discipline in their children, while teachers should reinforce positive behaviour through guidance, counselling and mentorship.
Career progression review
Turning to teachers’ career progression, Oyuu revealed that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has submitted the revised Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
He said SRC will undertake a comprehensive job evaluation to determine the value of every teaching position before developing new job grades that will inform future salary structures.
The KNUT boss further disclosed that SRC will soon conduct a nationwide public participation exercise to collect teachers’ views on the job evaluation process.
He encouraged teachers to actively participate, saying their contributions would help shape a fair and competitive remuneration framework for the profession.
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Oyuu reaffirmed KNUT’s commitment to championing teachers’ welfare through improved healthcare, better working conditions and equitable remuneration.
By Our Reporter
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