The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) National Governing Council (NGC) has vowed to continue the nationwide strike until the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) signs a return-to-work formula with the union.
The union NGC, in a press release signed by the Secretary General Akelo Misori, revealed that they held a meeting yesterday where they highlighted the key demands of the strike that the National Executive Board shall include in a return-to-work formula with TSC, which will provide a basis to end the strike.
The demands include; full implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering both basic salaries and allowances, commitment by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labour to ensure proper remuneration of teachers on acting appointments, confirmation by Education CS Julius Ogamba that the government will avail Ksh18.7 billion for the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers.
Consequently, the disbursement of funds to health institutions under the Teachers Medical Scheme, which have cleared the institutions’ arrears for two quarters, and confirmation by the CSs for Education and Finance on the employment of 20,000 new teachers.
“The NGC empowered the National Executive Board to ring-fence these gains in a return to work formula with the TSC, which alone would provide the basis for ending the strike,” the press release reads in part.
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The Council lauded the union members for turning up in large numbers for yesterday’s prayers across the country urging them to intensify the strike continuing today.
“The union will marshal its forces to counteract the massive intimidation tactics employed by the Commission against KUPPET union officials and teachers at the school level,” it added.
The NGC further urged school heads to put the interests of learners first by sending them home to avert disturbances such as the recent one in Othaya Boys, Nyeri County which was closed after student riots.
However, the Council faulted TSC for its disinterest in resolving the teachers’ strike by refusing to meet with union officials, as well as dishonouring summons by Labour CS Dr. Alfred Mutua who in his capacity acts as a conciliator in the labour dispute registered by KUPPET.
By Vostine Ratemo
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