KUPPET strike continues, the government releases Sh18.7 billion for intern teachers.
Given the length of the countrywide teachers’ strike, the government has set aside Sh18.7 billion to hire intern teachers.
Julius Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education, declared the funds and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising educational standards and making sure teachers are fairly compensated.
“I am happy to announce the release of Sh13.5 billion to implement the CBA on salary increments and Sh18.7 billion for hiring intern teachers.” We’re dedicated to raising the bar for educational standards and making sure teachers receive fair compensation, said Ogamba.
This declaration coincides with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers’ (KUPPET) persistent refusal to halt the strike in defiance of a Tuesday court decision. Until a return-to-work deal is completed, KUPPET administrators have promised to keep teachers out of the classroom.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori emphasized that the industrial action would continue despite the Employment and Labour Relations Court’s order to end the strike.
On September 5, 2024, the court had mandated that KUPPET resume work pending more orders. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been criticized by Misori for its confrontational style, and the union has asked its lawyers to oppose the court ruling.
Concerns about employing intern teachers, executing the 2021–2025 CBA, promoting teachers, hiring junior secondary school teachers, and restoring their health insurance have all been brought up by KUPPET.
TSC urged the union to end the strike on Thursday after rejecting KUPPET’s request to discuss a return-to-work formula. Director of Legal, Labor, and Industrial Relations for the TSC Cavin Anyour said that the commission had already addressed all of the earlier issues and that the strike will be suspended to facilitate further talks.
Anyour stated, “In order to facilitate ongoing bipartite negotiations on any outstanding issues, the Commission believes the Union should comply with the court order and withdraw the ongoing industrial action.”
Francis Atwoli, the leader of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), criticized the TSC for scaring teachers with the court ruling and urged them to collaborate with KUPPET to develop a return-to-work plan.
According to Atwoli, the court order would have only been valid had it been issued before to the start of the strike. To settle the conflict and put a stop to the strike, he urged TSC to hold talks with KUPPET.
Since the government has already committed, TSC should show humility and join KUPPET at the negotiating table to sign the return-to-work formula. “The strike will continue if TSC refuses to negotiate,” Atwoli declared.
KUPPET strike continues, the government releases Sh18.7 billion for intern teachers.
