Source: Facebook
Kenya's education system is bracing for a significant disruption as the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have declared a joint strike, set to begin on August 26, 2024.
This strike will likely keep schools closed and impact the education of millions of students across the country.
The decision to strike stems from ongoing dissatisfaction with the government over unmet promises. Omboko Milemba, KUPPET's national chairman, announced the strike during an interview on Citizen TV.
He explained that despite teachers' patience and their efforts to work with the government, they have been left with no choice but to strike due to the government's failure to honor the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The 2021-2025 CBA was supposed to start in July 2024 and included a commitment to raise teachers' salaries by 7-9%.
This increase was meant to address the rising cost of living and provide teachers with fair compensation for their work. However, the government has not yet implemented this agreement, which has frustrated the unions and led them to plan the strike.
Milemba, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for Emuhaya, highlighted that the teaching profession is often viewed merely as a calling rather than a respected career.
This perception, he argues, contributes to the government's failure to meet teachers' needs. Teachers are not only underpaid but also lack adequate support and resources, making their job even more challenging.
In addition to the salary increase, KNUT is demanding the permanent employment of 46,000 teachers. Many of these teachers have been on temporary contracts for years, facing job insecurity and limited benefits. KNUT believes that these teachers deserve permanent positions and the associated job security and benefits.
The timing of the strike is particularly problematic, as it coincides with the reopening of schools. The strike will prevent students from returning to their classrooms, causing delays in their education.
This interruption could have long-term effects on students' academic progress and overall learning experience.
The closure of schools will also affect parents and guardians, who will need to make alternative arrangements for their children.
Many parents rely on schools not only for their children's education but also for childcare during working hours. The strike will create additional stress for families already managing busy schedules.
The unions have emphasized that the strike is a last resort after other avenues for resolving the issues have been exhausted.
They have called on the government to address their demands promptly to avoid the strike. If the government responds positively and takes action to implement the CBA and address the issues of job security, the strike could be averted.
Both KUPPET and KNUT have made it clear that they are prepared to continue with the strike if their demands are not met.
The unions hope that the government will recognize the seriousness of the situation and work quickly to resolve the conflict.
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