- KNUT Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu has urged teachers to report hospitals offering poor services under the SHA medical scheme.
- The union has reaffirmed its opposition to the return of corporal punishment in schools.
- Oyuu says revised Career Progression Guidelines have entered a new phase with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Teachers across Kenya have been urged to report hospitals offering poor services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme, reject renewed calls for the return of corporal punishment in schools and actively participate in ongoing career and salary reforms expected to reshape the teaching profession.
The three key messages were delivered by Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu during the funeral of Mayi Rose Nangunda, the mother-in-law of KNUT Second National Vice-Chairperson Aggrey Namisi Murumba, at Bokoli in Webuye West, Bungoma County.
Addressing teachers and mourners, Oyuu said teacher welfare remains KNUT’s top priority and urged educators not to tolerate hospitals that offer substandard services or demand direct cash payments despite being contracted under the SHA medical scheme.
He said every complaint lodged by teachers helps the union identify facilities that fail to honour their obligations.
“The responsibility does not lie with the union alone. Teachers must report every case where they are denied services or forced to pay for treatment that should be covered. Such facilities have no business remaining on the panel,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over delays in accessing treatment, inconsistent healthcare services and reports of teachers being asked to make out-of-pocket payments.
KNUT rejects caning
Oyuu also reaffirmed KNUT’s opposition to the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools.
He described caning as an outdated disciplinary approach that is inconsistent with modern education, child rights and professional teaching standards.
Instead, he urged schools to strengthen guidance and counselling programmes while encouraging parents to play a greater role in shaping children’s behaviour before they report to school.
“The responsibility of raising disciplined children begins at home. Teachers reinforce those values through guidance, counselling and mentorship, but they cannot replace the role of parents,” he said.
Career reforms advance
Turning to teachers’ career progression, Oyuu disclosed that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has completed the revised Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) and submitted them to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
He explained that SRC will now undertake a comprehensive job evaluation to determine the relative value of every teaching position before recommending a new grading structure and salary scales.
According to Oyuu, the review is expected to influence future promotions, career progression, remuneration and organisational structures within TSC.
He also announced that SRC will soon conduct nationwide public participation forums to gather views from teachers and other stakeholders before finalising the review.
The KNUT Secretary-General urged teachers to participate actively, saying their contributions would help create a fair, transparent and credible career framework capable of addressing long-standing concerns over promotions, career stagnation and equitable remuneration.
READ ALSO: Bungoma senior schools undergo leadership changes as TSC transfers principals
Education stakeholders are closely monitoring the review, expressing hope that the new framework will simplify career progression, remove promotion bottlenecks and establish a salary structure that reflects the responsibilities and professional demands placed on teachers.
By Hillary Muhalya
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