Teachers are advocating for fully implementing the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). This determination comes after Parliament failed to allocate the necessary Sh13.3 billion in the supplementary budget. For the CBA’s second phase, recently signed into law by President William Ruto. The second phase, covering salary increments and allowances, will take effect on July 1, 2024. The first phase is already taking place.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu and Vice Chairman Malel Langat expressed their disappointment. They stated that teachers would strike when schools reopen in September. This is to demand their rightful dues, citing the insensitivity of Parliament and the TSC in implementing the legal agreement (CBA). They criticized TSC for not advocating for the budget allocation, despite having negotiated and signed the agreement.
The union leaders had raised concerns with key parliamentary committees. They are urging them to protect the budget allocation for teachers.However, Parliament ignored their pleas, prompting a stern warning from the teachers that they would not back down from ensuring the CBA’s full implementation.
The leaders emphasized that failing to implement the CBA would be a violation of a legally binding agreement. They stressed the importance of prioritizing education funding, especially given the economic challenges facing the country.
The potential strike looms as the government implements spending cuts, including reductions in education funding. Teachers, already feeling shortchanged, are prepared to take action to secure their rights, adding to the unrest in a country already grappling with widespread protests over economic policies.
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