EXPLAINER: Why Kenyan Teachers Are Striking
Sections of the media predicted a total shutdown in the education sector as teachers’ unions vowed to orchestrate nationwide strikes as schools reopened for the third term to demand timely pay, better working conditions, and promotions, among other things.
However, the prediction fell short, as Knut called off their strike at the last minute, citing the government’s willingness to address their grievances.
Knut and its sister union, Kuppet, had planned to start their strike on Monday over six issues.
These include the promotion of 130,000 teachers, the hiring of 46,000 others on permanent and pensionable terms, and the payment of statutory and loan deductions to the appropriate bodies.
KUPPET Kiambu branch joins in solidarity with the teachers strike.
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) August 26, 2024
Video By Kamaku Chege pic.twitter.com/YGFQgqnDv9
Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated that the National Executive Council met on Sunday and agreed to suspend the strike while they resolved their administrative issues.
He stated that TSC had made some concessions to their demands, justifying the decision to suspend the planned strike.
“During the deliberations, the five demands were thoroughly discussed, and notable progress was made. Specifically, regarding teacher promotions, the commission has already advanced 51,232 teachers through competitive interviews, with the process continuing actively,” he said.
The Kuppet and Knut issues mirror each other, including the full implementation of the second phase of the 2021-25 amended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with the Teachers’ Service Commission.
KUPPET demos in Meru Town. pic.twitter.com/iOeossH7AD
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 26, 2024
Knut stated that they had noted TSC’s commitment to address their concerns, including the provision of medical coverage and the remission of loan and statutory deductions.
The union, through its Secretary General, cautioned that the strike had not been called off, but rather suspended.
“We assure our members that the union is committed to resolving the matters herewith, failure to which we shall revert to the initial position since the strike notice has only been withdrawn,” Oyuu said.
Kuppet, for their part, maintained a tough stance and even appeared to trash Knut’s U-turn on the industrial action, saying the teachers’ strike covers.
“Following the withdrawal of the strike notice by the Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kuppet wishes to inform members and all teachers at large that the strike starting from Monday covers all teachers in the public service,” Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori said.
This is how KUPPET teachers stormed into Kisii School to seek support from fellow educators who were busy planning a staff meeting. pic.twitter.com/CjgMkF7cBM
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 26, 2024
Kuppet members from across the country responded to the call and marched through the streets to protest, even as students gathered at bus stops to begin their third term of school.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) assured parents that their children would be safe throughout the strike.
“KESSHA in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the TSC would wish to assure all the parents and the learners countrywide that the learner’s welfare and well-being would be safeguarded while in the institutions of learning,” national chairperson Willie Kuria said.
University professors also followed through on their threat to strike, staying away from lecture halls as the strike began on Monday.
The University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) issued a strike notice over delays and non-payment of their full salaries, as well as the delayed implementation of their 2017-2021 CBA.
More than 900 lecturers from Moi University in Eldoret joined the protest.
Aside from the salary issue and the delayed CBA implementation, they expressed concern that more than Sh4.1 billion deducted from their pension scheme had not been remitted.
“We are appealing to President William Ruto to come to Moi and have a roundtable meeting with all stakeholders to save this prestigious institution from collapsing,” chapter chairman Richard Okero said.
The strike disrupted learning on all Moi University campuses.
“All the 900 academic staff of Moi University have downed their tools, and there will be no teaching and learning at the university until we are paid our salary arrears and the remittance of monthly contributions worth Sh4.1 billion to a third party,” Okero affirmed.
EXPLAINER: Why Kenyan Teachers Are Striking
