Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba announced that public school teachers will receive their July and August salary increments by Friday, August 30, 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, CS Ogamba confirmed the government will release Ksh.13.5 billion to address teachers’ needs in accordance with the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“As proof of the Government’s good faith and commitment to addressing teachers’ concerns, the Teachers Service Commission has worked round the clock to ensure that all public-school teachers receive their July and August salary raises by Friday this week,” Ogamba said.
He explained that the government engaged in talks with the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) to restore full industrial harmony in the education sector.
“We are confident these talks will result in KUPPET members returning to work, given that the Government has fully implemented the second phase of the CBA and that the other administrative issues are being addressed by the Teachers Service Commission,’ he said.
Hiring JSS Teachers
Ogamba appealed to KUPPET to stop the strike and resume duties, stating that it threatens the KCSE examinations.
He also pledged to honor other demands, including hiring more teachers and confirming Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to permanent and pensionable status.
“The 46,000 JSS teachers are on course to be confirmed as permanent and pensionable by the government, and we hope to complete this by January 2025, so they should not have any anxiety,” he said.
Court Suspends Strike
Meanwhile, the High Court has suspended the ongoing nationwide strike by KUPPET teachers.
In a ruling on Tuesday, August 27, the Employment and Labour Relations Court temporarily halted the strike pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Justice James Rika issued the orders, citing KUPPET as the respondent and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection as an interested party.
Also Read: Teachers on Strike Attack Colleagues Reporting to Schools
“Pending the hearing and determination of the Application inter partes, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the Petitioner, restraining the Respondent, its officials, members, employees, agents, or any other person acting on its behalf, from withdrawing labor or commencing, engaging in, participating in, or continuing to participate in the intended industrial action, set to commence on August 24, 2024, or any other time thereafter,” ruled Judge James Rika.
The matter will be mentioned on September 5, and the judge directed KUPPET and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to file their responses within seven days.
Also Read: Education CS Issues Statement on Teachers’ Strike & School Reopening
KUPPET Strike & Demands
KUPPET teachers launched their strike on Monday, August 26, after the government failed to address their demands.
The grievances include implementing the second phase of the 2021-2025 CBA, promoting teachers, absorbing JSS teachers on a permanent basis, and reinstating their medical cover.
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