Court Halts Teachers Strike as TSC Releases July and August Salaries
The Employment and Labour Relations Court has temporarily halted the nationwide strike by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), pending the outcome of a case filed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Judge James Rika issued a temporary injunction on Monday, restraining KUPPET members from engaging in the industrial action set to start on August 24, 2024.
“Pending hearing and determination of the Application inter partes, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the Petitioner, restraining the Respondent, its officials, members, employees, agents, or other person acting on its behalf, from withdrawing labour and / or commencing, engaging in, participating or continuing to participate in the intended industrial action, set to commence or 24th August 2024, or any other time thereafter,” ruled Judge James Rika.
The court has also directed KUPPET and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to file their responses within seven days, with a mention date set for September 5, 2024.
This legal intervention comes as post-primary teachers began their strike on the first day of the third term, protesting the government’s failure to address their demands.
Their grievances include the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, promotions, permanent absorption of Junior Secondary School teachers, and reinstatement of medical cover.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba Migos has indicated that the government is addressing these issues administratively.
In a related development, CS Ogamba announced that public school teachers will receive their salary increments for July and August by Friday, August 30, 2024.
This payment follows the release of Ksh.13.5 billion by the National Treasury.
Ogamba emphasized that this move demonstrates the government’s commitment to resolving teachers’ concerns.
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“As proof the Government’s good faith and commitment to address teachers’ concerns, the Teachers Service Commission has worked round the clock to ensure that all public school teachers are paid their July and August salary raises by Friday this week,” said Ogamba.
He also assured that the TSC is working to address other administrative issues.
To ensure a smooth school reopening, the government released Ksh.21.8 billion to public institutions on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
This funding is allocated for free primary education (Ksh.1.6 billion), free day Junior School education (Ksh.6.1 billion), and free day secondary education (Ksh.14.1 billion).
CS Ogamba directed school heads to utilize these funds appropriately and cautioned against unauthorized fees.
In addition, the government plans to hire 20,000 more teachers by the end of the year and convert intern teachers to permanent and pensionable status by January 2025.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has since called off their planned strike, although KUPPET’s strike continues.
Ogamba also announced that Ksh.3.3 billion will be disbursed for National Polytechnics and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions.
He urged primary school teachers who have not yet returned to work to do so before the start of the third term to ensure students are prepared for national assessments and that the syllabus is completed.
Court Halts Teachers Strike as TSC Releases July and August Salaries
