Why Kuppet is happy with TSC offer even as they push for more

Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori & Julius Korir Vice Chairperson KUPPET speaking at a press briefing says TSC called the union for a meeting today the 29th August 2024. [Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard]

The ongoing industrial action by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has yielded significant gains for teachers across the country.

Kuppet says the strike, which is marked by strong resistance from various quarters, has demonstrated the power of collective action in advancing the welfare of educators.

One of the most notable outcomes of the strike has been the Ministry of Education's commitment to release Sh18.7 billion towards conversion of 46,000 Junior Secondary School intern teachers to Permanent and Pensionable terms.

Additionally, it was announced that medical facilities for teachers have been paid up to March, a crucial step in ensuring the well-being of educators.

Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori confirmed that the industrial action has compelled the government to address critical issues that had been overlooked.

“Today we have also confirmed that medical facilities have been paid upto March, if we had not gone on strike, you would not have heard this,” said Misori.

Misori revealed that since the industrial action began five days ago, the teachers have seen meaningful gains thanks to the pressure exerted on the government.

“The teachers’ issues must be addressed. And because of this strike, we have seen fruits. These achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of the strike in bringing about tangible benefits for teachers,” said Misori.

"As a reasonable social partner, Kuppet has welcomed these solid gains from the strike as forming the basis for an acceptable return-to-work formula."

Misori pointed out that a confirmation by the government to hire an additional 20,000 teachers to bridge the teacher shortage is another significant gain that will boost the education sector.

“The government has committed to recruiting more teachers, a move that will alleviate the burden on the existing workforce and improve the quality of education in the country,” said Misori.

Kuppet's leadership emphasised that these gains must be consolidated within the framework of established law, ensuring that the rights of teachers are upheld without resorting to intimidation or fear.

“I want to warn that anybody who is interested in intimidating teachers, especially by arrests, blackmail to guage them not to express themselves in a manner they want in this industrial action, teachers will make learning difficult in their various schools,” he said.

Misori reiterated that, despite these challenges, Kuppet remains committed to negotiation but will not allow the commission to protract the strike to punish the union and to ‘massage the ego of their conspirators.’

"We state categorically that Kuppet will not shy away from negotiating. The union is created to negotiate. At the same time, we must not arm-twist anybody, we will not negotiate in fear, nor will they sell us their fear to deter us from reaching our destination,’ he added.

The union has made it clear that they will not be deterred by attempts to undermine their efforts, and that they remain committed to advocating for the fair treatment of teachers in the country.

“The union remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure that teachers are not only heard but also respected and valued for their crucial role in shaping the future of the nation,” he added.

The union faults TSC's dirty tactics to prolong the ongoing teachers’ strike and has called for genuine negotiations on teachers’ demands.

"If calling off the strike was a precondition for engagement, why then did the TSC reach out to us knowing well that we had not done so? It is obvious that the Commission was setting us up to portray the union as desperate for a meeting or giving up on the strike," Misori said.

"Such dirty tricks only prove that the Commission has no interest in amicably resolving the strike. The tricks are unfolding amid intense media reporting about the TSC’s intention to punish teachers participating in the strike.”

However, Misori expressed disappointment that the TSC was not interested in negotiating a return-to-work formula.

He recounted an incident where the union was informed of a court order through social media before being officially served.

This, according to Misori, was a deliberate attempt by the TSC to undermine high-level government efforts to resolve the strike.

"Dr. Francis Atwoli castigated the TSC for undermining the process towards a return-to-work formula that had been initiated at high levels of government. He accused the Commission of adding fuel to a burning house instead of putting off the fire," Misori recollected.