After a week of countrywide protests and disruption in schools, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers has officially called off the ongoing teachers’ strike. This decision comes after a crucial meeting between Kuppet and TSC where both parties agreed to a return-to-work formula. There had been unprecedented unrest in the course of the second week, with upwards of 100 schools sending students home owing to fears of increased tensions and vandalization of school property.
KUPPET and TSC Reach a Deal
The resolution came after intensive negotiations, with both KUPPET and TSC holding a joint press briefing to announce the suspension of the strike. KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said, “We have decided to suspend the strike and call upon all our teachers to go back to class.” He added that indeed they had won some things in the struggle, especially on the implementation aspect of the CBA and the reinstatement of the teachers’ medical cover.
Misori also addressed the issue of teacher promotion, indicating that the portal for promotion has been opened by the TSC and that funding is actively being sought. It said that the contributions of teachers who had assumed acting positions would be taken into account.
Impact of the Strike on Schools
The strike had a far-reaching effect on the education sector, with over 100 schools across Kenya being closed in fear of unrest. A random check on Monday established that most secondary schools were not attended while some students took to vandalism and demanding to be released home. To prevent further damages, school managements opted for an end to send the learners home in the wake of the disruptions to the academic calendar.
Implementation of the 2021-2025 CBA
The strike was called initially to press the government to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement. TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia said the government had released money for phase two of the CBA that takes effect from July 1, 2024. “As promised on August 21st, 2021, the Commission is pleased to confirm that government availed funds for the implementation of the second phase of the CBA, and all our teachers have benefited,” said Macharia. She said that money, which also includes arrears, was paid, and TSC was committed to handling outstanding issues in cooperation with teachers and unions.
Macharia also spoke to the TSC’s effort to ensure the promotion of teachers, with 51,200 teachers having been promoted through competitive processes. She said the Commission would continue to promote teachers as budgetary allocations become available and that negotiations for a new CBA would start once KUPPET submits its memorandum of demands.