Knut postpones strike ahead of meeting with TSC

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion addressing the press at the union's offices in Nairobi on January 6, 2013. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Knut wants 53,000 teachers promoted after undergoing further studies
• Mr Nzili instructed Knut branch officials to prepare teachers for a strike after two weeks if TSC doesn't adhere to the union demands

By LUCAS BARASA
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Teachers have deferred their strike that was scheduled to start this week pending the outcome of a meeting with their employer on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Wilson Sossion confirmed the meeting with the Teachers Service Commission. (READ: Fresh strike looms as schools re-open)

“We were ready to go on strike today (Monday) but TSC secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni has invited us for a comprehensive meeting on Wednesday at 10am. In the meantime we ask teachers to report to their various stations of duty as the union engages the employer,” Mr Sossion said.

Knut wants 53,000 teachers promoted after undergoing further studies, a plan that has stagnated since the 2012/2013 financial year.

TSC is said to have requested Sh4 billion for the promotions from the Treasury but was only given Sh600 million.

Education principal secretary Belio Kipsang has said the government has no money to effect the promotions.

But Mr Sossion and Knut chairman Mudzo Nzili said that it was up to TSC to look for money for the promotion, adding that it was supposed to have been factored in the budget together with salaries.

“It is not our business to know what goes on between TSC and the Treasury,” Mr Nzili said adding that 13,000 teachers qualified for promotions in December 2013 alone.

The officials said TSC had two weeks to state how the promotions would be done and if not Knut would convene a National Executive Council meeting to issue a strike notice.

“If TSC fails to act on our demands we will have no option but to proceed with the strike. Teachers must be rewarded after acquiring higher qualifications from certificate to PhD. The schemes of service cannot be renegotiated. Appropriate upgrades should be implemented with effect from date of graduation,” Mr Sossion said.

He added: “We will be going to the Wednesday negotiations only to be told how the government plans to effect the promotions as the National Delegates Conference decision for members to go on strike if it is not is final.”

Mr Nzili instructed Knut branch officials to prepare teachers for a strike after two weeks if TSC doesn't adhere to the union's demands.

“We should stand up for our rights because that is our role. The branch leaders should prepare for a strike and those unable to do so should quit. Promotion is a right to teachers who deserve it,” Mr Nzili said, adding that it is the Ministry of Education and TSC that encourage teachers to further their education and systematic withdrawal of their right to promotions only provokes them.

Promotions, the officials said, are crucial for the country to retain the best teachers for quality education.