KUPPET Strike Gains Momentum as Uasin Gishu Teachers Join
“We are left with no choice but to strike because the TSC has ignored our serious concerns,” Maiyo said. The teachers’ primary demands include the full implementation of phase two of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the prompt initiation of negotiations for the 2024-2025 CBA.
In a dramatic show of dissatisfaction, members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Uasin Gishu County have officially launched a strike, citing the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) “indifference” to their urgent grievances.
Elijah Maiyo, Secretary of KUPPET Uasin Gishu County, led the announcement of the strike, stating that despite issuing a seven-day ultimatum, the TSC had failed to address any of the nine critical issues raised by the union. “We are left with no choice but to strike because the TSC has ignored our serious concerns,” Maiyo said. The teachers’ primary demands include the full implementation of phase two of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the prompt initiation of negotiations for the 2024-2025 CBA.
Maiyo criticized the government for neglecting junior secondary school teachers, who currently receive a meager KSh 17,000 per month and face insufficient maternity leave. He also expressed frustration with the current career progression guidelines, which stipulate that teachers must be 59 years old before being considered for principal positions. “This policy often leads to very short tenures in leadership roles, which is both unfair and demoralizing,” Maiyo argued.
The union also demands promotion opportunities for teachers with advanced qualifications, advocating for a merit-based system that recognizes and rewards those who pursue further education and professional development. Additionally, KUPPET insists on the timely remittance of Sacco contributions, emphasizing the need for prompt deduction and transfer of teachers’ contributions to their respective Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Saccos).
Furthermore, KUPPET has condemned the government’s decision to cut funding for the teachers’ medical scheme from KSh 22 billion to KSh 11 billion, noting that this reduction has severely impacted their access to healthcare. “The cut in funding has significantly affected our ability to access necessary medical services,” Maiyo noted.
The strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between teachers and the TSC, underscoring the urgent need for reforms in Kenya’s education sector. The union’s demands highlight the severe challenges faced by educators and emphasize the necessity for addressing these issues to ensure a fair and supportive working environment for teachers.