- CS Ogamba said seamless operation in schools is critical particularly this term as learners prepare for national assessments and exams.
- He said already, resources have been provided for the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Image: MIN EDU
The government has called on Kuppet to emulate Knut and call off their nationwide strike, which got underway on Monday.
Education CS Julius Ogamba says the ministry appreciates the critical role teachers play in the education ecosystem and cannot take them for granted, but pointed out that seamless operation in schools is critical, particularly this term as learners prepare for national assessments and exams.
“This is why, as a government, we will do all we can to improve their terms and conditions of service. Already, resources have been provided for the implementation of the 2021–25 Collective Bargaining Agreement,” Ogamba said.
The CS spoke at Lenana School Primary in Kajiado County at the end of his assessment tour in a number of primary schools in Nairobi, Machakos and Kajiado counties as learners reported for the third term.
The schools’ reopening coincided with the start of the nationwide strike by teachers allied to Kuppet after their counterparts - the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) - called off their job boycott on Sunday.
Their demands include full implementation of the second phase of their 2021-25 CBA, the promotion of 130,000 teachers, absorption of 46,000 JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms and remittance of loan and statutory deductions to relevant agencies.
While calling off their strike, Knut said the teacher employer—TSC, had demonstrated goodwill, including effecting promotions of 51,232 teachers thus far in a process that is still ongoing.
“That decision was timely because it has enabled the re-opening of schools. I commend them for reading the mood of the nation and acting with selfless patriotism,” Ogamba said while commending Knut.
He said the government has given priority to teachers, despite the various competing needs and the very difficult economic circumstances the country finds itself in at the moment.
He said Sh28.1 billion capitation for primary, Junior and secondary schools for third terms has also been disbursed to schools to enable smooth running of operations.
CS Ogamba added that the government has also provided resources for retraining of teachers to prepare them adequately for the CBC curriculum.
He said the other issues that had been raised by the unions, such as provision of comprehensive medical cover, career progression guidelines, and promotions of teachers are also being addressed administratively by the Teachers Service Commission.
“I therefore call upon the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), to review their stance and to call off their strike. The government has demonstrated goodwill and readiness to address all the issues raised. We therefore see no reason for confrontation,” CS Ogamba said.
Knut called off their strike on Sunday hours after 68 Kuppet National Executive Council members ratified the decision for their members to go on strike.
“Kuppet wishes to inform members and all teachers at large that the strike starting from Monday covers all teachers in the public service," Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori said, while appearing to pour cold water on Knut’s decision to withdraw their strike.
Classrooms in many schools remained empty as Kuppet teachers in various parts of the country heeded their union directive and participate in peaceful demonstrations.
Misori said the strike will go on until all their grievances are addressed.