KUPPET Endorses Teachers Strike Hours to Schools Reopening

KUPPET Takes Stand on Teachers Strike Hours to Schools Reopening

Members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) National Governing Council broke into chants and celebrations after successfully endorsing the planned teachers strike.

The council has supported the Monday, August 26, strike after 68 members voted in favor of the job boycott against two members who opposed the move.

Consequently, the earlier issued seven-day strike notice will take effect as the government has failed to meet earlier set demands.

One of the demands stated by KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori was that the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) should have already employed 46,000 intern teachers.

Past Teachers Strike — Junior Secondary School teachers protesting against the Teachers Service Commission in Mombasa on May 20, 2024. PHOTO/ NMG

“We have googled, and we have notices that the junior secondary teachers are not going to be employed, contrary to what we believed parliament was working on.

“Earlier when we met at the school of government, TSC was not committal in addressing any other issues. We left there without signing any document, meaning that the promise of actualizing the CBA would not be the case.

Also Read: TSC Clarifies Withdrawal of Teachers’ Salaries Ahead of Monday Strike

KUSNET Opposes KUPPET and Plans for Protests

However, the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) Secretary General James Torome has opposed the move.

According to him, the unions had already made the decision to oppose the strike after a meeting. However, KUPPET changed its stand last minute

“We want to condemn and ask our brothers in KNUT and KUPPET to come to the public and explain what transpired between the boardroom, where the prayers were conducted and where we were going to address the press.

“KUSNET is not subordinate to any union. We cannot change our mind at the doorstep when going to address the press. TSC said that teachers are going to pay the arrears backdated from July 2024.

Also Read: Alfred Mutua Issues Statement Amid Looming Teachers’ Strike

TSC on Withdrawing Teacher’s Salaries

Earlier, TSC denied withdrawing teacher’s August salaries ahead of the strike, after reports alleged that the commission halted the payments last minute.

In addition, the reports noted that TSC intended to use the August salary as a weapon to force teachers back to class and only teachers who resume duties would get their pay.

Other demands issued by the unions include the promotion of 130,000 teachers who have been waiting for rank elevations after being shortlisted and interviewed for new grades.

Additionally, the unions are calling for the immediate recruitment of 20,000 new teachers for Junior Secondary Schools, the prompt remittance of all third-party deductions, and a commitment to initiate discussions on the new round of the CBA.

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