Teachers PNP employment relief interns give a positive impact.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), led by Secretary General Akelo Misori, is advocating for the immediate conversion of 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable positions. Additionally, Kuppet calls for the recruitment of 20,000 more intern teachers for junior secondary schools (JSS).
Key Demands and Criticisms
Immediate Conversion to Permanent Positions
Misori demands that the current 46,000 intern teachers be given permanent positions without delay. He emphasized that Kuppet has been pursuing this conversion for over a year.
Hiring Additional Teachers for JSS
With the upcoming transition of 1.2 million learners to Grade 9 next year, Misori insists on hiring 20,000 new teachers for JSS to address the significant understaffing issue, which he estimates leaves JSS schools short by nearly 73,000 teachers.
Criticism of Budget Cuts
Misori criticized the administration for cutting funding for education, attributing it to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024. These budget cuts have affected various educational programs, including the pay increase for teachers set in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Implementation of the CBA
Kuppet demands the complete implementation of the CBA for 2021-2025, including the August 2023 addendum, which promised teachers a basic salary increment of up to 9.5 percent. Misori insists that benefits outlined in the CBA are non-negotiable and must be honored.
Prompt Payment of Medical Bills
Kuppet also calls for the immediate settlement of past-due medical bills for teachers.
TSC’s Position and Challenges
Dr. Nancy Macharia, Secretary and Chief Executive of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), addressed the National Assembly Education Committee, explaining that intern teachers would have to wait longer for permanent positions due to budget constraints. The TSC’s budget was slashed by Sh10.28 billion, affecting the implementation of the CBA’s second phase.
Legal Implications
Macharia warned that breaching the CBA could lead to legal action and strikes. She stated that the impact of the budget cuts has been communicated to the Treasury and that the available funds are barely sufficient to cover salaries.
Misori’s Response
Misori expects intern teachers to receive their confirmation letters and upgraded salaries soon. He accused the government and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission of undermining workers’ rights and not taking teachers’ welfare seriously. Misori insists that TSC must uphold its end of the CBA agreement despite the budget cuts, as it is legally binding and registered with the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Kuppet’s demands reflect the union’s commitment to improving the employment conditions of intern teachers and addressing the critical teacher shortage in JSS. The union’s advocacy highlights the broader issues of budget cuts and their impact on the education sector, emphasizing the need for the government and relevant bodies to prioritize teachers’ welfare and honor existing agreements.
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