The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has announced that it has called off the teachers’ strike planned for Monday, August 26.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu on Sunday, August 25 directed that teachers report to schools on Monday.
Oyuu revealed that the National Executive Council has agreed to withdraw a strike notice they had earlier issued. The notice was set to expire at midnight.
“The NEC has, therefore, today, agreed to withdraw the strike notice action which was elapsing midnight on 25th August 2024 since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively,” Oyuu announced.
Teachers during a past strike.
The KNUT boss gave assurance that the Union is committed to resolving the matters causing contention. However, he warned that in the event the matters are not resolved, the union will once again call for a strike.
“In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024,” the SG directed.
The teachers were to protest over their salary increments as read out in a Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) signed by KNUT and the Teachers Service Commission in 2021.
Oyuu added that following the Strike Notice, TSC invited the Union in a letter dated August 19, 2024, to the Kenya School of Government from 10.00 am.
Following the meeting, Oyuu announced that they agreed that the 2nd phase of the Salary Award for teachers was to be given and factored into their salaries in arrears for August 2024.
“This gives room for the commencement of the CBA 2025/2029 cycle in respect to Section 3 on effective date and duration and specifically Section 3.3,” he said.
He said the meeting saw that Third-party deductions were remitted to Commercial Banks, Teachers’ Saccos, Teachers’ Investment Schemes and other legal liabilities therein.
On the promotion of teachers, Oyuu revealed that the Commission has already promoted 51,232 teachers through competitive interviews and the process is ongoing, adding that the Commission only informed that they had so far promoted 51,232 teachers.
“It did not provide both the time frame and the framework through which the remaining 78,768 will be promoted,” Oyuu divulged, adding that the union regards it as an ongoing process.
“On teachers’ Medical Scheme, the Commission asserted that teachers will continue accessing both Public and Private hospitals for services.”
Further, Oyuu raised concern about political utterances and unconfirmed promises from Public Leaders and Government representatives that are confusing some sensitive matters.
“For instance, the conversion of 46,000 intern teachers to Permanent and Pensionable and the employment of 20,000 more to address teachers’ shortage. This remains a serious matter that if addressed will help improve the quality of education even as the Nation transits from curriculum to CBC,” he said.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba in a statement acknowledged KNUT’s decision to call off the strike, even though the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) National Executive Council (NEC) at the same time insisted that the strike is still on.
“In this regard, therefore, parents and guardians are advised to ensure that their children report to their respective schools for the third term, in accordance with the school calendar. As earlier notified, the Ministry has already disbursed Ksh. 21.8 as capitation to all basic education institutions, to facilitate a seamless resumption of school operations,” Ogamba stated…CONTINUE READING>>
