KUPPET: The strikes teachers continues.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has resolved to continue its ongoing strike, which is entering its second week, demanding the promotion of teachers who have been stagnant in various job categories. During a meeting on Sunday, KUPPET’s National Governing Council (NGC) declared that the strike will intensify until the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) addresses their grievances.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori emphasized that the strike is about more than just a pay raise of Sh1,050. The primary issue, according to Misori, is the lack of career progression for teachers who have furthered their education and skills. He accused the TSC of failing to recognize the efforts and commitment of educators who have invested in higher education, leaving them stuck in the same job grades without promotion.
“The employer has declined to recognize the effort and commitment of educators who have gone above and beyond to advance their education,” Misori said. “They have denied these instructors the respect and dignity they deserve by refusing to elevate them.”
The union argues that the TSC’s refusal to promote these teachers not only undermines the teaching profession but also threatens the future of education in Kenya. Misori framed the strike as a broader “struggle for justice” and respect for the teaching profession, accusing the TSC and the government of systemic failures in addressing teachers’ issues.
The central issue in the dispute is the promotion of teachers who have obtained additional qualifications, such as Master’s and PhDs, which, under TSC regulations, should entitle them to career advancement. The union contends that the TSC’s refusal to grant these promotions is unjust and detrimental to the quality of education in the country.
“We are seeing a plot to devalue teachers in this nation and turn them into temporary workers. This can’t continue. We will not permit teachers to be treated like construction workers because they are professionals,” Misori declared.
KUPPET has called on parents and school principals to resist any “mischievous arrangements” with the TSC, asserting that teachers are prepared to stay out of classrooms until their demands are fully met. The union warned that the strike is not just about the immediate concerns of educators, but also about the future of Kenya’s education system and the welfare of the nation’s children.
Despite recent attempts by the government to resolve the situation, KUPPET claims that the TSC has refused to engage in substantive negotiations, prompting the union to adopt a more rigid stance. The strike has already severely disrupted education across the country, particularly affecting Standard Eight and Form Four students who are preparing for their final exams.
Misori emphasized that the union is determined to pursue justice for teachers at all levels of government and will not stop until their goals are achieved. “We are willing to go to any measures in order to ensure justice for the teachers in this nation,” he stated.
As the strike continues, the paralysis in schools is affecting millions of students who are being forced to stay at home while their peers in private schools continue their education uninterrupted. The situation has placed significant pressure on both the government and the TSC to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
