The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Makueni branch has convened its Annual General Assembly (AGA) at the Tawa social hall in Mbooni East subcounty of Makueni county.
The focal point of discussion revolved around teachers’ grievances with the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
Representatives from the KUPPET national executive board, including Paul Maingi, the national organizing secretary, and Catherine Wambilianga, Bungoma women representative, emphasized the need for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and KNEC to clarify the employer-employee relationship.
Maingi underscored the mistreatment of TSC employees by KNEC and urged swift intervention to rectify the situation.
Addressing the issue of supervisors’ rotations by KNEC, Maingi expressed concern over potential disciplinary actions against teachers failing to report to new centres, urging TSC to intervene on their behalf.
“Failure to address these concerns might lead to teachers downing their tools and proposed a boycott of exam marking until their grievances are addressed through a substantial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KNEC,” he stated.
Additionally, Maingi said that other pressing concerns included unfair labor practices such as overtime, with teachers calling for fair compensation for extra time spent in school.
Reportedly, they also requested risk and hardship allowances.
Maingi further called for salary harmonization, citing a significant salary gap and differential, emphasizing that according to international law, this gap should not exceed 25%.
On the issue of Junior Secondary School, KUPPET maintained its stance against domiciling it in primary schools, advocating for its relocation to secondary schools.
Catherine Wambilianga, from the KUPPET national executive committee (NEC) gender, commended the Makueni branch AGA as one of the most organized, urging female teachers to actively participate in leadership.
She emphasized resilience and growth from humble beginnings, reassuring teachers that the union would persist in addressing their concerns.
Justus Kimeu, KUPPET executive secretary for Makueni County, highlighted persistent challenges faced by teachers, including double pension deductions and reduced net pay due to over-taxation despite the national executive board signing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with TSC.
The event also saw the attendance of KUPPET leaders from Machakos and Kitui counties, emphasizing solidarity in addressing teachers’ concerns at both the local and national levels.
By Lydia Ngoolo
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