The 2021–2025 Wage Agreement Should Be Implemented By TSC. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been vigorously advocating for the maintenance of its budget, initially set at Sh357,773,737,118, to ensure the smooth implementation of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Despite their efforts, the National Treasury has reduced the budget by Sh10 billion, which has significant implications for teachers’ promotions and the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms.
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Overview
Collective bargaining agreements are crucial for negotiating employment terms between employers and workers’ representatives. In Kenya, these agreements are guided by the constitution, labor laws, and the Industrial Relations Charter of 1957, updated in 1984. A CBA only becomes legally binding if it is registered with the Employment and Labour Relations Court, as was done with the current agreement.
Impact of Budget Cuts
The budget cut has directly affected the implementation of the second and final phase of the 2021–2025 CBA. This reduction hampers the TSC’s ability to confirm the employment status of 46,000 intern teachers and delays the promotion of teachers in the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
KNUT’s Stand
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) firmly asserts that the CBA is a legally binding document, and the budget cut by the National Treasury violates this agreement. KNUT acknowledges the country’s financial challenges but stresses that the 2.5 to 9 percent pay raise stipulated in the CBA was the bare minimum agreed upon after extensive consultations.
Call to Action
KNUT is demanding the immediate restoration of the Sh10 billion cut from the TSC budget. The Union argues that failing to do so would constitute a breach of contract and a violation of teachers’ labor rights. KNUT insists that the 2021–2025 CBA should be honored irrespective of the Finance Bill or the Appropriations Bill of 2024, as the agreement was negotiated and signed in 2021, considering the National Government’s contractual spending for that year.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If the budget is not restored, KNUT warns of severe repercussions:
- Teacher Demotivation: The failure to implement the pay raise could demoralize teachers, impacting their ability to provide quality education.
- Quality of Life: Teachers struggling with financial constraints may be unable to afford essential services such as school fees for their children, adequate housing, and healthcare, further affecting their performance.
- Potential Strikes: There is a risk of industrial action if the teachers’ demands are not met, which could delay the start of the third term in 2024.
- Impact on Future CBAs: Failing to honor the current CBA could undermine trust and negatively impact negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.
KNUT’s Commitment
KNUT remains committed to finding innovative strategies for managing labor relations but stresses the importance of maintaining trust by honoring agreements. The Union is prepared to pursue all constitutional avenues to ensure teachers receive their rightful compensation increases.
The restoration of the Sh10 billion cut from the TSC budget is essential for the successful implementation of the 2021–2025 CBA and the overall morale and performance of teachers in Kenya. KNUT calls on the National Treasury and the government to fulfill their commitments and support the education sector by providing the necessary funding. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences for both teachers and students, potentially hindering the progress made in improving labor relations and educational outcomes in the country.
