The government has brushed off new demands for 65 per cent pay rise made by teachers, saying it is unrealistic.
Instead, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu Wednesday said teachers must bear in mind that the country's economy is in dire straits.
"I am informed that you have already raised concerns about inflation and your CBA 2021 to 2025, which did not have a monetary component. I call upon your leaders to be realistic in reading the signs of the day, consult widely and ensure that all deliberations have the learners' interests at heart. I'm sure we will reach an agreement and move on as a country," said the CS.
He said this in a speech read by Nyanza regional in-charge of Education Nelson Sifuna during the 62nd Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) conference in Kisumu.
On Tuesday, while addressing the press, Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu said they will sit with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and share a proposal they have agreed on for a 60 per cent pay rise for teachers across the board.
The union argued that the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2017 to 2021 had been considered and emphasised mostly on school heads and their deputies, but this time round they are pushing to have all teachers considered.
Among other demands by Knut are a review of the education curriculum and introduction of a teachers' appeals tribunal to handle disciplinary cases and delocalisation.
On Wednesday, Mr Machogu said the government also recognises that education reforms will only succeed if teachers sit at the table of consultations.
"This explains why President William Ruto appointed eight classroom teachers to be members of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms to ensure their lived classroom experiences inform the dialogues with the public on the education we want," he said.
The CS said the government commits to working with teachers as it seeks to improve the teaching and learning outcomes that will give the best to learners.
He said Kenya Kwanza government has a deliberate education charter that puts the teacher at the centre of the master plan.
