Kenya’s education sector faces an unprecedented crisis as schools across the country are expected to remain closed starting August 26, 2024, following a nationwide teachers’ strike.
Led by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and supported by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) before pull out, the strike is a culmination of long-standing grievances against the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Both unions have vowed that schools will not reopen until their demands are met.
However, KNUT called off it’s strike claiming that they more of their demands had been met.
Root Causes of the Strike
The primary catalyst for the strike is the failure of the government to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised salary increments, promotions, and improved working conditions for teachers. This agreement, which was supposed to be implemented in phases, included a salary increase of between 7% and 9% that was scheduled to begin in July 2024(Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.,Citizen Digital). However, the delay in fulfilling these promises has led to widespread discontent within the teaching profession.
According to KUPPET’s national chairman, Omboko Milemba, teachers have exhausted all avenues of negotiation and have been left with no option but to strike. “This strike is not just about salaries,” Milemba explained during an interview on Citizen TV. “It’s about the respect and recognition that teachers deserve as professionals. We have been patient, but the government has consistently failed to honor its agreements”(Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.,Citizen Digital).
Key Issues Driving the Strike
- Delayed Salary Increments: One of the central demands of the teachers is the implementation of the agreed-upon salary increases as per the 2021-2025 CBA. Milemba emphasized that the lack of salary adjustments, despite rising inflation and the high cost of living, has placed teachers under immense financial strain(Citizen Digital).
- Promotion Stagnation: Another critical issue is the stagnation of over 130,000 teachers in their job groups for over a decade. This lack of career progression has led to frustration and demoralization among educators, who see no clear path to advancement(Citizen Digital,ODRi Media).
- Uncertainty Over Employment Contracts: The unions are also demanding that the government confirm the 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers who are currently employed on contracts. They argue that these teachers should be converted to permanent and pensionable terms. Additionally, they are calling for the employment of 20,000 new teachers to fill the gap in Junior Secondary Schools, a need that has only become more urgent with the growth of the JSS system(Citizen Digital,ODRi Media).
- Medical Cover Concerns: KUPPET has raised alarms over potential cuts to teachers’ medical cover due to budgetary constraints. The teachers’ medical contract, which was set to begin its third phase in December 2024, faces an uncertain future if the government fails to allocate the necessary funds. This issue has further contributed to the growing tension between the unions and the government(Citizen Digital).
Growing Tensions
The strike has garnered significant attention, not only because of its potential to disrupt the academic calendar but also due to the broader implications for Kenya’s education system. Teachers have expressed frustration with the perception that their profession is undervalued. “Teaching is not just a calling; it is a profession that demands respect and adequate compensation,” said Milemba. He also criticized the government’s decision to impose the Housing Levy, which further reduced teachers’ take-home pay(Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.,ODRi Media).
Despite several rounds of talks with the TSC and the Ministry of Education, the unions argue that the government has shown little urgency in addressing their concerns. In the lead-up to the strike, both KUPPET and KNUT have been vocal in their demands, organizing a series of meetings and press conferences to highlight their grievances(Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.).
Impact on Students and Parents
The strike has thrown the education sector into disarray, particularly as schools were set to reopen for the third term on August 26, 2024. The timing of the strike means that millions of students will be left without access to education, a situation that has sparked concerns among parents and education stakeholders.
“We are worried about the impact this will have on our children’s education,” said Mary Wanjiku, a parent from Nairobi. “The third term is critical, especially for candidates preparing for national exams. The government needs to resolve this quickly.”
Parents’ associations have called on the government to find a swift resolution to the crisis, warning that prolonged school closures could have long-term consequences for the academic performance of students across the country(Citizen Digital).
The Way Forward
As the August 26 strike date looms, pressure is mounting on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the teachers’ unions. KUPPET and KNUT have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met, emphasizing that the strike is their last resort after years of unmet promises(ODRi Media).
The Ministry of Education has urged teachers to remain patient, assuring them that the government is working to address their concerns. However, with both sides entrenched in their positions, a resolution remains uncertain. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has called for calm, promising to expedite discussions with the unions to prevent a prolonged disruption to the school calendar.
The stakes are high for all parties involved. For the government, a failure to resolve the strike could lead to a prolonged crisis in the education sector, with severe implications for students, teachers, and parents alike. For the teachers, the strike represents a fight for their rights and dignity in the face of what they see as a government that has failed to prioritize their welfare(Citizen Digital,ODRi Media).
As the strike gains momentum, the entire nation will be watching closely, hoping for a swift resolution that will restore normalcy to Kenya’s education system.
