Government begs teachers to soften stance

A day after the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) called their strike, the union has stood its ground directing its members to keep off classrooms.

This is even as pressure from the State and parents continues to mount, calling for the teachers to soften their stance.

Yesterday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos urged Kuppet to reconsider its position.

Speaking at Lenana School Primary in Nairobi, Migos commended the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) for calling off their strike, urging Kuppet to follow suit.

“That decision was timely because it has enabled the re-opening of schools. I commend them for reading the mood of the nation and acting with selfless patriotism,” Migos said.

Migos expressed concern that the strike would disrupt the academic calendar, particularly during the critical third term, which is crucial for students preparing for final examinations.

“I call upon Kuppet to review their stance and to call off their strike. The government has demonstrated goodwill and readiness to address all the issues raised,” he said.

Yesterday, Kuppet led by Secretary-General Akelo Misori, assured teachers that their jobs are secure under the law.

“The union will protect the rights and interests of all teachers participating in the strike irrespective of their union membership,” said Misori.

Misori’s sentiments were echoed by Moses Owiti, Kuppet’s executive secretary for the Nairobi branch.

“The strike is fully protected by law because it complies with every legal and regulatory framework required of such industrial action. The employer, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), has not demonstrated any commitment to resolve these issues even after they were registered as disputes,” Owiti stated.

Kuppet’s demands include the confirmation of 46,000 teachers, promotions, and medical cover improvement, issues that Misori believes affect all teachers, regardless of their union affiliation.

He also addressed the concerns of parents, stating that while principals may encourage students to attend school, no teaching will take place.

Owiti, the union’s executive secretary, added that school heads are being used to intimidate teachers, but the union will not be cowed.

The union said it had received reports that principals were threatening teachers or inviting them to go for staff meetings while the strike is on.

They said Kuppet has a distinct agreement with TSC and therefore it can operationalse the articles of the recognition agreement in exclusion of any union.

“The presence or absence of any other union in the teachers’ strike does not affect the influence and strength of these strikes,” Owiti noted. Kuppet’s National Secretary of Secondary Schools, Edward Obwocha, acknowledged a recent meeting with Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua as a good step to resolve the dispute.

Additional Reporting by Victor Nzuma