Looming clash between teachers, state over new pay demands
A possible clash between the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the government is looming early next year after the union tabled new payments demands of over 60 per cent salary increment during the 62nd annual delegates conference held in Kisumu City.
Through KNUT Secretary General Collins Ayuu, teachers have lined up a raft of demands they want fulfilled including review of Collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to see teachers across salary increased by 60 per cent.
The employer, Teacher Unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is gearing up for re-evaluation talks of the 2021 -2025 CBA and its practicability early next year.
“The rise in inflation over six years together with the high cost of living has left teachers crippled in poverty hence need for the appraisal… Teachers pay was last reviewed in 2016/17 financial year.” Ayuu said.
However, Ediucation Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has termed the demands by KNUT unrealistic.
“I am informed that you (teachers) have raised issues tied around inflation and the 2021-2025 CBA which did not have a monetary component in it. I am calling on your representatives to engage widely before making any further step.” Machogu observed.
The sentiments were not well received by the teachers making the TSC legal and industrial relations director Calvin Anyuor have a hard time explaining to the charged teachers.
In case teachers will have it their way, the move will see the least paid teacher dues rise from Sh27,196 to Sh43,192 with the highest paid teacher set to take home figures in the area of Sh252,249.60 up from Sh157,656.
The Secretary General confers that teacher’s salary has not been appraised since July 1, 2017 even though in July 2021, the unions signed a non-monetary CBA with their employer TSC in which there was a close to review the CBA after a year.
The Unions representatives lead by Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) counterpart Akelo Misori have vowed to be at forefront of championing for teachers’ welfare.
“We are not going to be enslaved with the current inflation. It is not going to be a walk in the park with the current situation as teachers are grappling with poverty.
The leaders asked politicians to stay away from matters politics calling on the TSC to hire more teachers compared to the 35,550 positions advertised which according to them is a drop in an ocean with the current teacher shortage standing at over 114,000.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who also attended the meeting called for a consensus and asked teachers to ensure learners remain in class next year after a crush programme resulting from the impacts of Covid-19 on education calendar.
