KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori yesterday rallied teachers behind the strike that the union has planned to begin on August 26, his spirit and letter suggesting that teachers have had enough.
“Enough is enough,” Misori declared, rallying the educators to stand together and demand the respect and fair treatment they deserve. “Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can hold the TSC accountable for their actions.”
In a powerful and urgent speech at a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting, Misori highlighted severe problems faced by teachers in Kenya.
The meeting, held at the Kasarani Sportsview Hotel, was described as “historic” by Misori due to the alleged unprecedented level of neglect and injustice by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Addressing the council, Misori expressed profound frustration with the TSC’s failure to honour the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) despite an initial Addendum that was basically designed to offer a small salary increment of between 4-10 per cent and cushion against tax increases.
He said the TSC has failed to implement the second phase of these increments scheduled for July 2024.
“The TSC has failed to honour the 2021-2025 Collective Agreement (CBA), a document that was meant to protect our rights and ensure fair treatment for all teachers. The CBA Addendum awarded our members very meagre increments of between 4-10 per cent. Indeed, the Addendum only served to cushion our members from the drastic tax increases of 2023,” said Misori.
He also criticized the TSC for compromising teachers’ medical insurance, noting that it was gradually collapsing due to many hospitals refusing to accept, leaving only the public hospitals to serve them, which often lack essential drugs and staff.
“Furthermore, the TSC has compromised our medical insurance cover, putting our health and well-being at risk. We have watched the slow but steady collapse of the Teachers Medical Scheme, which many hospitals no longer honour. Today, our members’ insurance cards are accepted only in public hospitals, most of which have no drugs or personnel,” he lamented.
The Secretary General further condemned the TSC’s delay in promoting 130,000 teachers, its use of interns instead of qualified professionals, and the refusal to employ 46,000 teachers who have been exploited for nearly two years.
“The Commission has delayed the promotion of 130,000 teachers, leaving a demoralized workforce in their wake,” said Misori. “It has failed to employ the 46,000 teachers they have exploited for almost two years, leaving them in limbo and without a stable source of income.”
Misori also raised concerns about the TSC’s reluctance to hire 20,000 new teachers, a commitment made by senior leaders including the president. This failure exacerbates the teacher shortage, particularly in Junior Secondary Schools.
“This failure will irreparably affect teaching in Junior Secondary Schools which depend on intern teachers and where the teacher deficit currently stands at more than 87,000,” he commented.
In his address, Misori highlighted broader issues affecting the education sector, including the recent discontinuation of the Edu-Afya medical insurance programme and a significant cut in Free Day Secondary School (FDSE) capitation funds, which have negatively impacted millions of students.
“Early this year, the government discontinued the Edu-Afya medical insurance through which it paid Ksh1,350 in premiums for every student in public secondary schools. The programme was underwritten by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and catered for approximately 3.5 million students. Its abolition has affected millions of students under our care,” he stated.
“We have seen a cut in Free Day Secondary School (FDSE) capitation funds by 24 per cent from KSh22,244 per learner per year to Ksh17,000,” he added.
Calling for solidarity and action, Misori urged KUPPET members to unite and declare industrial action. He emphasized the need for fair treatment, better compensation, and respect for teachers, asserting that the time for action is now.
This comes amid their counterpart KNUT declaring a strike that will begin on August 26, coinciding with their own.
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By Frank Mugwe
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