The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has called off the teachers’ strike after reaching an agreement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The strike, which began on August 16, 2024, had entered its second week, prompting some schools to send learners back home.
The decision to suspend the strike came after a meeting on Monday evening, where TSC assured that no teacher would face victimization for participating in the strike. Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori announced, “From the union side, we suspend the strike and ask all our teachers to go back to class pending the speedy resolution of these matters as already agreed on between us and the commission.” He added that further communication would be made following a court ruling expected on Thursday.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia stated that both parties agreed to use alternative dispute resolution methods, as outlined in the recognition agreement between the union and the commission. She emphasized, “After a daylong meeting, we are happy to report to the nation that we have reached an amicable settlement which will enable our teachers to resume duty immediately.”
The teachers’ strike focused on several key demands, including the promotion of 130,000 teachers, the absorption of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, and the remittance of statutory deductions and loans. Additionally, Kuppet sought the full implementation of the 2021-25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), payment of all emoluments for July, and the release of Sh15 billion for their medical cover.
Macharia assured that the government had provided the necessary funds for implementing Phase II of the CBA and the arrears due. “The government has implemented all the provisions of the 2021-25 CBA with the teacher unions, specifically the second phase of the CBA which was due on July 1, 2024,” she said. The CEO also confirmed that the arrears and other payments were disbursed in August.
Status of Key Issues:
- Career Progression Guidelines: Review has begun and is ongoing.
- Remittance of Third-Party Deductions: Issue resolved.
- Medical Scheme: Teachers can now access both public and private hospitals.
- Transition to Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC): Resources have been provided for retooling JSS teachers.
- Promotion of Teachers: 51,232 teachers have been promoted; further promotions will occur once Parliament provides additional funding.
- New CBA Negotiations: Will commence once Kuppet submits its demands.
Macharia also stated that any other pending issues would be resolved through bilateral negotiations as per usual practice. The agreement applies to all teacher unions, including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET). “The Commission issued the implementation circular to all teacher unions, including Kuppet, as envisaged in the CBA 2021-2025,” she added.
