The Teachers Service Commission said it received funds for full implementation of the second phase of the amended 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is likely to forestall the teacher strike called next week.
This is after a strategic meeting held between the TSC and top teacher unions—Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers—in which a resolution was reached at the Kenya School of Government. In a statement released after the meeting, TSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia said the government has made a provision for the funds to implement the CBA in arrears, starting July 1, 2024.
Dr. Macharia expressed optimism that the strike would be called off as unions agreed to retreat and consult their internal organs on the way forward concerning the strike notice. We are pleased to announce that the government has availed funds for the implementation of the second phase of the CBA with effect from July 1, 2024,” said Dr. Macharia.
Other issues that the TSC handled were issues raised by unions, including the Career Progression Guidelines and third-party deductions, which are now updated. The commission also confirmed that now teachers can access all public and private hospitals under the medical scheme, while some resources have already been set aside to retool teachers in readiness for CBC.
He had highlighted the recent statement of Dr. Macharia in which she had appreciated and highlighted the promotion of 51,232 teachers after competitive processes and the annual promotion of 20,000 teachers on common cadre. She thanked the unions for the engagement, hoping it would lead to the withdrawal of the strike notice for a smooth third term.
However, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu has said the strike notice still stands until the union’s National Executive Council meets to determine the next course of action. He said that whereas one issue had been solved, other key concerns were yet to be resolved.
With the unions set to consult members and NEC, there is every chance that the strike will be called off and teachers will report to schools on Monday for the start of the third term.