Government responds to teachers’ call for a national strike over salary increase
Government through Education Cabinet Secretary responds to teachers' call for a national strike over a salary increase
Government through Education Cabinet Secretary responds to teachers’ call for a national strike over a salary increase.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu advised the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) to be mindful of the current economic situation when requesting the implementation of collective bargaining agreements (CBA).
The CS, whose speech was read at the ongoing 62nd KNUT National Delegates Conference in Kisumu, was responding to new KNUT demands for a 60% pay increase.
“I am sure we will reach an agreement and move on as a country,” Machogu said in a speech read oh his behalf by Nyanza regional director of education Nelson Sifuna.
KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu announced on Tuesday that the union will begin a campaign to demand higher pay from the government CS. Machogu told the teachers that the government was proud of the union’s significant progress toward improving the welfare of its members since its inception.
He stated that the government values the role that teachers play in the country’s growth and development.
Furthermore, Machogu stated that trade unions played critical roles in the fight for African and global independence.
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According to Machogu, the government recognizes the teacher as a cardinal pillar in the education sector, driving and sustaining social, economic, and political pillars that drive the country’s growth in terms of building reliable institutions.
“The Kenya Kwanza Government has a deliberate education charter that puts the teacher at the center of the masterplan,” Machogu said.
TSC director of legal and industrial relations Calvin Anyuor who represented the commission’s chief executive officer Dr. Nancy Macharia assured teachers that they will meet with Knut officials over the CBA demands.
“We have received 13 letters from Collins Oyuu, KNUT Secretary General demanding for a meeting with the TSC over the 2021-25 CBA.
The meeting has been granted and we want to engage with the union to reach amicable solutions that will be beneficial to teachers and the commission for the betterment of learners, ” Anyuor said.
He acknowledged the high cost of living saying that TSC officials are not stones but human beings who shall engage the union to reach an agreement.
On his part, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) secretary general Akelo Misori vowed that next year will be a tough time for President William Ruto’s government should it fail to honour the demands of teachers in the country.
“We won’t work for free, the CBA of 2021-2025 was not implemented so you owe us,” Akello said.
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