Members of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Nakuru County have joined their colleagues nationwide in declaring that the scheduled Monday August 22, 2024 strike is still on until the government heeds to their demands.
The aggrieved members who addressed journalists in Nakuru on Thursday August 22, 2024 maintained that learning will be paralyzed as they down their tools over what they termed dis failure by government to implement among other collective bargaining agreement (CBA) 2021-2025.
Led by KUPPET Nakuru Branch Executive Secretary Gitau Macharia said members are not happy with how the Kenya Kwanza Government has continued to treat the members when it comes to implementation of CBA on remuneration.
The second and the last phase of the CBA, he said, has not been implemented as of July hence the call for the strike.
“It is expected that the government and TSC was to respect the second and the last phase implementation of the CBA but this did not happen. We are here to state that we are not going to class minus CBA,” stated Gitau.
The members also raised concerns over the delayed confirmation and conversion of Junior Secondary School and intern teachers.
According to members of KUPPET, the Kenya Kwanza government has failed to adhere to the Education Charter.
Gitau noted that the code of regulation for teachers in the country has been breached and therefore the government should ensure that JSS teachers should be converted to permanent and pensionable.
“Let the government ensure JSS teachers are converted to the legal framework of permanent and pensionable terms,” he said.
This, even as the Union also urged the government to re-look at the medical scheme for the teachers.
According to members, the medical cover has failed to take care of the teachers leaving them to incur losses and suffering whenever they seek health services.
In addition, the members of KUPPET Nakuru Branch raised concerns over the career progression guideline demanding for promotion.
They are demanding that the government remove Job groups C3, C4, C5, D5, and have a scheme of service for secondary and graduate teachers that will align with the situation on the ground.
Meanwhile, they called for the Co-curricular money to be streamlined to avert the intimidations that have been reported since the money was transferred to the Ministry of Education rather than Kenya School Heads Association.
The Union is also calling for the review of salaries for the staff at the Teachers Service Commission to address the disparities that have been there.
Secretary Secondary KUPPET Nakuru Branch Anne Langat on her part faulted the government for introducing Teacher Professional Development without consulting the teachers.
She noted that teachers have no money and therefore they will not accept involvement in the TPD program.
“As teachers in Nakuru, we are saying we will not go for the TPD program because we do not have money (Sh 6000) for the same. If you wanted the TPD you could have introduced it at the University,” she said.
Sentiments echoed by KUPPET Nakuru Branch Secretary-Gender Nancy Chelang’at who urged all teachers in Nakuru tof come out in large numbers to pass a strong message to government concerning their demands.
She pointed out that teaching is not a calling but a profession that needs to be paid well like any other profession.
Ms Chelang’at urged teachers not to fear any intimidations, adding that the strike is on until their demands are met by the Kenya Kwanza Government.
“The teachers in Nakuru County and the nation at large are tired of being told lies. We need to be paid as any other profession. The strike is on and is protected and it’s high time that the government listens to our demands,” she said.
Simon Waita- the Chairman KUPPET Nakuru Branch has advised parents not to allow their children to travel to schools on Monday August 26, 2024 as teachers will be in the streets.
He faulted the government for not taking the education sector seriously yet it is one of the major components of the economic recovery.
“Education is a basic sector of the economy and the government should take the sector seriously,” said Waita.
Sentiments echoed by KUPPET Nakuru Branch Organising Secretary Joseph Chebukaka who warned teachers who will boycott the strike.
He urged teachers to keep off school from Monday August 26, 2024 and join their colleagues nationwide in demanding their rights.
“On Monday we are all on the streets to pass a message to the Kenya Kwanza Government. We will not relent until our demands are met,” said Chebukaka.
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PRISTONE
