Government to Implement Teachers’ CBA to Avert Strike – MPs
Luanda MP Dick Maungu has called on the government to swiftly implement the teachers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to avert a looming strike. The agreement, reached on July 1st last year, promised a pay increase of up to 9.5% for teachers, as negotiated between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the teachers’ unions.
Background and Urgency
The CBA was signed by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). The agreement aims to enhance teachers’ remuneration and address their working conditions. MP Maungu stressed the urgency of implementing this agreement to prevent disruptions in instruction.
During a speech at Constituency Education Day, with Governor Kenneth Lusaka of Bungoma in attendance, Maungu emphasized the need for immediate action. He declared that the opposition would advocate for the full implementation of the CBA and expressed frustration over the ongoing delay.
Impending Strike and Demands
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has announced a nationwide strike planned for next month if their demands are not met. The union’s demands include:
- Hiring 46,000 intern teachers on permanent, pensionable terms.
- Employing an additional 20,000 new teachers.
David Barasa, Chairman of Bungoma County KUPPET, criticized the government’s handling of the situation. He urged the administration to honor its commitments, warning that failure to do so would lead to a complete shutdown of the school system by September.
Concerns Raised by KUPPET
- Capitation Reduction: The Finance Bill’s reduction of capitation from Sh22,244 to Sh17,000 per student has been criticized, with calls for an increase in school fees to address the shortfall.
- Edu Afya Program: The discontinuation of the Edu Afya program, which supported medical care for students, has been highlighted as a major issue. Barasa argued that the program’s removal has hindered schools’ ability to manage and care for ill students effectively.
- Teacher Deficit: The current shortage of teachers in public schools is impacting the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and jeopardizing students’ future prospects.
