- “We are confident that these talks will result in KUPPET members returning to work.”
- CS said all the major issues that had prompted strike notices have either been addressed, or are lined up for decisive conclusion.
Image: MIN EDU
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has expressed confidence that talks with Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) will yield fruits.
Ogamba said the government has fully implemented the second phase of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
He further assured that other administrative issues are being addressed by the Teachers Service Commission “through an amicable, methodical and consultative manner.”
“We are confident that these talks will result in KUPPET members returning to work,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Education is closely monitoring the opening of schools for the third term.
“Since yesterday, our field officers have been visiting schools countrywide to assess the status of teaching and learning activities,” he stated.
The CS noted that reports received from the field so far show that learners continue to report to their respective schools for the third term.
“This is attributable to the increased confidence among parents and guardians, following the decision by the Kenya National Union of Teachers to call off their intended strike,” he said.
Ogamba added that as proof of the government's good faith and commitment to address teachers' concerns, TSC has worked round the clock to ensure that all public school teachers are paid their July and August salary raises by Friday this week.
He said this is in implementation of the 2021-2025 CBA as the National Treasury released Sh13.5 billion.
The CS noted that on August 25, 2024, President William Ruto announced that the government will employ an additional 20,000 teachers by the end of the year to ease the shortage of staff in public schools.
He added that the government has also provided Sh18.7 billion for the conversion of intern teachers to permanent and pensionable status in January 2025.
“In effect, all the major issues that had prompted strike notices have either been addressed or are lined up for decisive conclusion within short timelines," Ogamba said.
"We therefore beseech those teachers that may not have resumed work to return to their workstations to prepare candidates for national assessments and examinations, while also ensuring that the syllabus for other classes is covered to facilitate smooth transition across the various levels of education,” he said.
On funding for national polytechnics and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions, Ogamba said his ministry is working with the National Treasury to start the disbursement of the Sh3.3 Billion in capitation and scholarship grants, and loans for trainees.
“We are keen on a timely disbursement of the resources to assure seamless operations in our TVET institutions, and to guarantee the convenience of our trainees,” he said.