Teacher Strike Dates Set Amid Crisis Warning From Unions .
Teacher Strike Dates Set Amid Crisis Warning From Unions . Teacher Strike Dates Set Amid Crisis Warning From Unions
Possible Strike Threatens Schools Nationwide
Schools across Kenya face potential disruption as the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) threatens a strike. KNUT Chairman Patrick Karinga has announced that teachers will walk out at the start of the third term if the government fails to honor the 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Unfulfilled Agreements and Budget Cuts
Karinga revealed that the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) has not implemented the agreed salary increases due to recent budget cuts. The TSC faces a budget shortfall of nearly Ksh10 billion in the new financial plan.
Read Also: TSC Reviews Non-Monetary CBA For 2021-2022: Key Changes Unveiled!
Karinga warned that if the TSC does not meet its obligations by July 31, teachers will take more drastic action. “Teachers are organized and will demand what is owed to them,” he said.
Call to Action
Karinga urged the TSC to negotiate with Parliament to secure the funding for the CBA. “KNUT demands that the TSC honors the legal agreement,” he emphasized.
Impact on Students
A strike would severely disrupt education at a crucial time. Form Four students are scheduled to take their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams shortly after the third term starts. The exams are set to begin on November 4, with some subjects like music practicals and French starting as early as October 22.
Adjustments and Delays
The academic calendar has already been adjusted due to the May floods, which extended the school closure by two weeks. The Ministry of Education and the TSC have not yet addressed the teachers’ demands.
Conclusion
With the teacher strike dates set amid this crisis warning from unions, the education sector remains in a state of uncertainty. The coming weeks will be critical as negotiations continue and the start of the third term approaches.
