Kuppet
Officials from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) met with Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), today at his Jogoo House office.
It is now the first teacher union to consult with the new CS on educational issues.
They have so far brought up a number of issues that the CS must address in order to allay the complaints of its members and guarantee the smooth operation of schools, and Machogu has pledged to set up a comprehensive meeting to discuss these issues, find common ground, and form a working relationship.
The reopening of the non-monetary 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was a major topic of discussion. The Secretary General (SG), Akelo Misori, informed the Chief Steward (CS) that they were already in negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and needed his support.
The Kenya Kwanza government has promised to increase teacher salaries, so we expect them to support our efforts as we negotiate with the TSC on this, said Misori. The Union National Chairman Hon. Omboko Milemba, who is also a member of parliament for Emuhaya, agreed with Misori (MP).
Every President has given teachers something since 2002, and this is an accepted practice in our democratic system of government. We received a CBA from President Uhuru Kenyatta for Ksh54 billion. President William Ruto should be ready to give us what we want from this administration because we know what we want, according to Milemba.
The Union encouraged Machogu to give the appropriate legal advice for a smooth transfer to Junior Secondary School in relation to the CBC changeover (JSS).
However, the CS stated that the working group will offer recommendations on the matter in a draft report to the President in December 2022.
Additionally, according to KUPPET, Machogu should return 3,780 instructors employed by higher institutions from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The Labour Court invalidated the teacher transfers in March 2019 because they were illegal and against the law. It was decided that TSC was the only institution that was required by the constitution to employ teachers and that no other organization could take over that responsibility.
The trainers were not included in the fourth round of CBA increments after the transfers, according to KUPPET, and the majority of them have remained in their current positions without advancement.
Despite the fact that their wage benefits were properly funded in the budgets for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, this is the case. Some retirees currently anticipate receiving less in pension payments than they would have under the CBA.
Teachers’ concerns about the ministry withholding co-curricular activity funds, which were previously managed by schools without any problems, were also covered during the meeting. Teachers further urged the CS to make sure that the distribution of capitation funds is made more effective and reflects the current price levels in the economy.
The CS promised to work closely with teacher unions to address problems plaguing the education sector, stating that his vast public administration experience and skillful political leadership have well-prepared him for the position.
