Teacher Unions and TSC Face Off: Looming Strike Threatens to Paralyze Public Schools

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) are on the verge of a strike, citing unresolved issues with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Although the government has agreed to implement Phase Two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) starting July 1, 2024, the unions insist that five critical demands remain unmet. These include confirming 46,000 intern teachers to permanent roles, promoting 130,000 teachers, recruiting 20,000 new Junior Secondary School teachers, and ensuring prompt remittance of third-party deductions.
Despite TSC's claim of resolving issues like career progression, medical schemes, and teacher retooling for the CBC curriculum, the unions, led by KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu, have expressed dissatisfaction. The unions have threatened to strike if their demands are not fully addressed, posing a significant disruption to learning in public schools. President William Ruto has urged all stakeholders to resolve the impending strike for the benefit of students.