Makueni branch of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (KUPPET) has called upon the government to honour the teachers’ demands in order to avert the impending strike.
The union joined other branch unions nationwide in their demands for smooth operations once schools open next week. In Makueni, the union was led by Branch Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu and Chairman Erastus Kimetu, among other officials.
Speaking in one of the hotels during a presser, Kimeu noted that the government should employ 44,000 interns.
He called upon Members of Parliament not to approve comprehensive schools when the sessional paper comes to Parliament, but instead to push for a three-tier system in basic education: primary, junior, and senior schools.
“We have raised so many concerns of our teachers; kindly respond to them and honour your promises,” said Kimeu.
On the review of hardship zones, he said it is a serious matter and cannot be changed without the involvement of the union, and thus, Makueni remains a hardship zone.
Chairman Erastus Kimetu noted that the issue of KNEC examiners has been persistent, especially when it comes to payment. He wondered if the budget for examiners before the start of the exercise was there, and what happened afterwards.
“Some jokes choke. Why is this CS bumpy and jumpy when it comes to paying examiners? Still, we cannot joke with teachers’ work. Exams were done six months ago. This year we are not going to mark, and we might strike because of this as well,” said Kimetu.
He called upon the government to review the CBA, which was promised by President William Ruto during a State House meeting with teachers.
The union’s Treasurer, Cosmas Muteti, noted that the pronouncement made yesterday on SHA regarding an agreement between the government and the union should be honoured.
“As teachers, we don’t want the issue of capping in health insurance. Cost-sharing when teachers don’t have money is very disappointing. We need freedom of facility choice; the government should not force us to certain facilities. There should be the introduction of a smart card instead of waiting the whole day for authorisation,” said Muteti.
Junior School Secretary Evans Kisoi pointed out that for the last three years, they have been working under comprehensive schools, which have various challenges.
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“We believe in autonomy and call for three tiers to be created in the basic education sector: primary, junior, and senior schools, with full management, administration, and co-curricular activities managed without failure,” said Kisoi.
With autonomy, Kisoi expressed strong belief that the conflict that has persisted for many years will become a thing of the past.
By Lydia Ngoolo
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