The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has clarified withdrawing teacher’s August salaries ahead of the looming strike expected to begin on Monday August 26.
This is after a blogger named Duke Joseph alleged that TSC had withdrawn the payroll instructions ahead of the teachers strike.
Reports also making rounds alleged that the TSC had prepared its machinery and was set to release the August payroll to banks and SACCOs for the immediate payment of teachers’ salaries, but the plan was withdrawn at the last minute after further consideration.
They claimed that TSC was to use the August salary as a weapon to force teachers back to class and only teachers who resume duties would get their pay.
However, the commission in its post on X account attached a photo of the post with a FAKE stamp on the post to inform the public that the allegations made were false.
Furthermore, it was claimed that Heads of schools were asked to avail data of those who will report next week and KUSNET members were to be paid because they are not taking part in the strike.
Also Read: Employment Hopes for 46,000 JSS Teachers Dashed as Gov’t Cites Lack of Funds
Why Teachers Want to Strike
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) planned to down tools ahead of school re-opening.
This follows a meeting between the government and the unions, which ended in a stalemate, with the TSC addressing only one out of the six demands.
The commission only agreed to the Ksh13.3 billion for the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“After today’s discussions, the commission is pleased to announce that the government has provided funds for the implementation of the 2nd phase of the CBA with effect from 1st July 2024,” TSC said in a statement after the meeting on Wednesday August 21.
However, KNUT and KUPPET asserted that five major issues raised during a meeting held on July 16, 2024, to address the planned industrial action and concerns affecting teachers’ welfare remain unresolved.
“Regrettably, the Commission has once again failed to address our concerns. The Commissioners brought absolutely nothing tangible in five out of six irreducible demands we have made,” the unions said in the statement signed by KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and his KNUT counterpart Collins Oyuu.
These issues include the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable positions, as well as 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.
Also Read: Mutua Speaks on Wage Increase After Meeting Atwoli Amid Looming Strikes
TSC Lists Resolved Issues Raised by KUPPET & KNUT
Despite the teachers’ unions’ stance, the TSC, in a subsequent statement, affirmed that it is actively reviewing the Teacher Career Progression Guidelines and ensuring timely remittance of third-party deductions.
The TSC also noted that teachers can now access both public and private hospitals through the Teachers Medical Scheme and that the government has allocated resources for the retooling of teachers to support the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Additionally, the TSC highlighted that it has promoted 51,232 teachers through competitive promotions and that it continues to promote an additional 20,000 teachers annually through common cadre promotions.
Meanwhile, the teachers’ union leaders stated that the decision to call off the strike lies with their respective National Governing Councils and National Executive Councils, which will convene to assess the TSC’s commitment to addressing the outstanding demands.
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