Kenya: Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for the disbandment of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission saying it has become a stumbling block in the teachers' quest for better terms of service.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori said the body had abandoned its constitutional mandate and became a puppet of the state at the expense of rights of teachers.
"The Sarah Serem led commission has lost focus in its role and constitutional mandate and has allowed itself to be armed twisted by the government to disadvantage the teachers," said Mr Misori.
Misori was speaking when he presided over the Bomet branch annual general meeting on Saturday in Bomet town.
The Secretary General who was accompanied by KUPPET national assistant treasurer who is also Bomet Central MP Ronald Tonui said time was up for the commission and asked Members of Parliament to institute a process of disbanding it.
READ MORE
TSC, unions eye reforms to break teachers' promotion stagnation
Teachers allege plot by TSC to kill Kuppet
Why teachers' promotions is a sticky issue for employer, unions
Misori warned that continued stay in office by the SRC would cause chaos in the public service due to complete disparities in the terms of service for the civil servants in various sectors.
"SRC was supposed to harmonise for the terms of service for all civil servants in the various sectors but she has failed and has even become a stumbling block as we try to negotiate with the government," added Mr Misori.
At the same time the Secretary General warned the government to brace for a tough battle come January saying they will not open schools until their demands are met.
"It will not be business as usual unless our demands are tabled and effected immediately," Misori said.
He accused the government of taking teachers for granted by granting them poor remuneration compared to other civil servants.
"Among the demands that we are demanding is the responsibility allowances for Head Teachers, Leave allowance and a 200 per cent salary increase and without that the government should be sure there will be no opening of schools," he said
He asked teachers to prepare to engage the government in the industrial action warned that those who will not cooperate will be compelled.
KUPPET also used the ceremony to announce that it has opened doors for primary school teachers to join the union.
Misori said the union has amended its constitution to create a secretary's post for primary teachers in every branch.
He said the union has started recruiting primary school teachers and that the move was not aimed at fighting it rival union Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) but was only interested in the service delivery to the teachers in primary.
"That should not be viewed as a witch-hunt but our interest in service delivery to our brothers and sisters in the primary section," he said
