Kenyan teachers have issued a stern warning to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) against calling off the ongoing strike prematurely. The message, shared widely across various social media platforms, underscores growing dissatisfaction among educators who are adamant that their demands be met before any decisions are made to halt industrial action.
Mounting Pressure on KUPPET Leadership
The KUPPET leadership is set to convene a crucial meeting on Sunday, 1st September 2024, at the Kasarani Sportsview Hotel in Nairobi. The meeting, slated to begin at 9:00 a.m., will review the first week of the strike and chart a way forward. The strike, which has caused a standstill in secondary schools across Kenya, has garnered significant attention, with teachers expressing discontent over unmet demands related to pay and working conditions.
According to a notice signed by KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori, the National Governing Council (NGC) meeting will involve key union officials, including National Chairman Omboko Milemba, National Vice Chairman Julius Korir, and other senior members of the union. The primary agenda for the meeting is to assess the strike’s impact and decide whether to continue with industrial action or explore other options.
However, as the meeting approaches, teachers have voiced strong opposition to any potential resolution that would end the strike without securing concessions from the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The teachers argue that prematurely calling off the strike would undermine their bargaining power and leave their grievances unaddressed.
Teachers Voice Frustration on Social Media
Teachers across the country have taken to social media to express their frustrations and warn union leaders against caving to pressure from the TSC or government officials. Many feel that previous strikes have failed to yield long-term solutions, and they are determined not to repeat past mistakes.
One teacher, speaking to the K47 Digital News team, urged the union leaders not to be swayed by external pressures. “I wish our delegates should not be convinced at all to call off the strike,” the teacher stated, emphasizing the importance of unity among union members.
Another teacher voiced their support for continuing the strike even if the TSC threatens to withhold union deductions. “Wasijaribu kutishwa, even if TSC fails to remit union deductions tutachanga,” the teacher said, implying that teachers would find alternative means to support their union financially if necessary. The teacher suggested the creation of a paybill number, which would allow teachers to voluntarily contribute funds to sustain the union and the strike.
“Watengeneze paybill, and I am ready to prepare a program that ensures all those who have remitted their money to the union paybill will register,” the teacher continued. “TSC cannot use the same tricks for decades and expect the same results. This time, they are dealing with teachers who will stop at nothing until their grievances are addressed.”
Grievances Driving the Strike
The ongoing strike stems from a range of grievances that teachers feel have been ignored by the TSC for years. These include demands for better pay, improved working conditions, promotions, and a review of existing policies that teachers believe are detrimental to their professional growth and well-being.
Many teachers argue that the current salary scales do not adequately reflect their qualifications and the rising cost of living. They are also calling for an end to what they describe as “unfair promotions,” where teachers who have served for many years are overlooked in favor of younger, less experienced colleagues. Additionally, there are concerns about the adequacy of resources in schools, with many teachers working under challenging conditions that hinder effective teaching and learning.
The Role of the Teachers Service Commission
The TSC, which is the government agency responsible for managing human resources within the education sector, has found itself at the center of the dispute. Teachers have accused the TSC of failing to address their concerns and using delaying tactics to avoid meaningful negotiations.
One of the key issues raised by teachers is the failure of the TSC to remit union deductions on time. This has created financial strain for KUPPET and other teachers’ unions, hampering their ability to provide services to their members and weakening their position in negotiations.
Despite these challenges, KUPPET has remained firm in its commitment to advocating for teachers’ rights. Secretary General Akelo Misori has repeatedly called on the government to engage in genuine dialogue with the union to find a lasting solution to the issues at hand.
Sunday’s Meeting: A Pivotal Moment
As Sunday’s meeting looms, all eyes are on KUPPET’s leadership and the decisions they will make regarding the strike. The National Governing Council will be under immense pressure to balance the interests of its members with the realities of ongoing negotiations with the TSC and the government.
The meeting will likely be a pivotal moment in determining the future of the strike. Union leaders will have to weigh the potential consequences of continuing the industrial action against the possibility of finding common ground with the government.
For teachers on the ground, the message is clear: they expect KUPPET to stand firm and ensure that their demands are not sidelined. Any decision to call off the strike without tangible results could lead to further unrest within the union and among educators across the country.
Conclusion
The outcome of Sunday’s meeting could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s education sector. With teachers remaining steadfast in their demands and KUPPET under pressure to deliver results, the coming days will be critical in shaping the future of labor relations within the education system.
As the strike enters its second week, both the government and teachers’ unions must find a way to address the grievances at the heart of the dispute. Failure to do so could result in prolonged disruptions to the education system, with students ultimately bearing the brunt of the impasse.
