Possible Teacher Strikes Are Ahead as MPs Warn of Budget Cuts

Possible Teacher Strikes Are Ahead as MPs Warn of Budget Cuts

A House committee has expressed grave concerns over potential teacher strikes following the government’s decision to slash the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) recurrent budget by Sh10.2 billion. This budget reduction has severe implications for the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the TSC and teachers’ unions.

Key Points from the Committee’s Report:

1. Impact on the CBA Implementation:
   • The Departmental Committee on Education’s report on the Financial Year 2024-25 Supplementary Budget Estimates highlighted that Sh10 billion of the budget cut was specifically allocated for the CBA implementation.
   • The reduction jeopardizes the planned salary increments for teachers as outlined in the CBA.
2. Recurrent and Development Budget Reductions:
   • Recurrent Budget:
     • Initial Budget: Sh357,773,737,118
     • Reduced Budget: Sh347,492,589,260
     • Total Reduction: Sh10,281,147,858
   • Development Budget:
     • Initial Budget: Sh442,329,000
     • Reduced Budget: Sh404,329,000
     • Total Reduction: Sh38,000,000 (funded by the Government of Kenya)

Implications of the Budget Cut:

• Potential for Industrial Unrest:
  • Committee Chair Julius Melly warned that the budget reduction might lead to industrial unrest and disrupt teaching and learning in public schools.
  • Legal challenges could arise from unmet financial commitments.
  • The government is urged to restore the allocation to facilitate the second phase of the 2021-25 CBA implementation.
• TSC’s Response:
  • TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia addressed the committee, explaining the reduction in the overall recurrent budget and its implications.
  • New gross recurrent budget: Sh347,492,589,260 (down from Sh357,773,737,118).
  • Development budget reduced by Sh38,000,000, affecting projects funded by the Government of Kenya.
  • The budget cut will delay the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 CBA, originally allocated Sh10 billion, hindering the agreed-upon salary increments for teachers.

CBA Agreement Details:

• Amendments to the 2021-2025 CBA:
  • In August last year, the TSC and union representatives agreed to amend the 2021-2025 CBA to include a salary increment of up to 9.5 percent spread over two years.
  • The budget cuts now threaten the fulfillment of this agreement, risking potential strikes and unrest among educators.

The significant reduction in the Teachers Service Commission’s budget poses substantial challenges to the implementation of the agreed-upon CBA. This could lead to industrial actions if not addressed promptly. The government is urged to reconsider the budget cuts to prevent disruptions in the education sector and ensure the fulfillment of financial commitments to teachers.

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