Pay by midnight or face strike, Kenyan teachers tell employer

Redemptah Nthambi, a shop attendant (left), helps students to fit shoes on a back-to-school shopping Sunday. (PHOTO: DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD)

NAIROBI: Public schools reopen today to an uncertain start of the third term after teachers’ unions declared a strike to press Government to honour a 50-60 salary increment.

But the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) last evening asked parents to take their children to school today, arguing the strike was illegal because it had not received a notice from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

TSC said the third term runs from today to November 12 and instructed county directors of education to ensure full compliance with school term dates set by the Education Cabinet secretary.

“All teachers are, therefore, expected in their respective work stations from Monday 31st August 2015 performing their teaching and administrative duties,” read part of the statement released by TSC Head of Communications Kihumba Kamotho.

However, defiant union officials insisted their members will boycott classes if the payout ordered by court is not implemented by midnight.

KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion warned that the consequences would be dire if TSC does not pay teachers the salary increment by midnight.

Mr Sossion claimed TSC called KNUT for a meeting last week and committed to comply with the court ruling, adding that it would be dishonest to renege on the commitment.

He accused the Government of running the show at TSC yet the latter should operate independently.

“During the entire court process, no contrary orders have been issued. We expect full compliance with the court order, failure to which, it will be an act of impunity from the side of Government,” said Sossion.

Sossion wondered why the Government had been quick in bailing out State corporations whose fortunes have been dwindling yet has excuses when it comes to paying teachers.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori warned that any attempt by the Government to further frustrate teachers would be met by total paralysis in schools.

Total paralysis

“We are watching with keen interest the kind of impunity TSC and the Government are employing to frustrate the teachers of Kenya. But this shall be met in equal measure with total paralysis of learning in all schools. Let impunity be met with teachers’ power,” said Mr Misori.

He said failure by the Government to comply with the court ruling would allow the teachers to proceed on a protected strike until the teachers’ dues are paid in full.

“The Government is an employer just like other employers, but why does it want to be treated as special? By Monday midnight, if the teachers do not get their pay, then we have no option but to stay out of school,” said Misori.

According to Misori, the Government has failed to act with urgency to the pending crisis and instead has resorted to brinkmanship and impunity by acting contrary to court orders.

The TSC statement added the only dispute it was aware of was the economic dispute, which is the subject of an appeal in the Court of Appeal.

TSC indicated that there have been statements in the media attributed to officials of teachers’ unions calling on teachers to boycott work from today over an industrial dispute which is the subject of a pending pay dispute in the Court of Appeal.

“The school term dates are set by the Education CS and as such Third Term will run from August 31 to November 12, 2015.

“Education PS Dr Belio Kipsang has confirmed to TSC these dates and reiterated that there has been no change to the term dates and has asked parents to send their children to school,” said Kamotho.

The Kenya National Association of Parents (KNAP) also backed teachers’ demands with a call on the Government to comply with the court orders.

KNAP Secretary General Musau Ndunda said the remarks by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich were uncalled-for and intended to provoke teachers.

“The Government should not take teachers round in circles. It should move with speed and address the matter once and for all,” said Mr Ndunda.