Schools re-opening threatened as teachers' unions, TSC fail to agree on demands

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has revealed that his Ministry is facing an acute shortage of funding to address all the demands in the education sector.

CS Migos has pleaded with teachers' unions to embrace dialogue and abandon the imminent teachers' strike.

This comes as KNUT and KUPPET insist the strike will proceed from Monday next week due to the Teachers Service Commission's failure to fully implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Time is quickly running out for the government to avert a looming teachers' strike ahead of the schools' Term 3 re-opening on August 26.

With only three days to the teachers' strike deadline, Migos has escalated the crisis by revealing that the government lacks funds to fully implement phase 2 of the 2021-2025 CBA.

“The government is experiencing a difficult financial moment... we have no funds to address all the issues facing this docket,” CS Migos said.

“We are calling for more dialogue and consultations with all stakeholders.”

CS Migos' remarks contradict those of TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, who on Wednesday stated that Ksh.13 billion had been released for the implementation of phase 2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“I beseech all teachers to report to school on Monday for the start of the third term now that the funds have been released for the implementation of phase 2 of the CBA and addressed all the issues,” said Ms Macharia on Tuesday.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) insist that Monday's teachers' strike is still on, after failing to secure a deal with their employer, TSC.

Representatives of the KNUT Coastal branch on Thursday finalized plans for the industrial action across all six counties.

“We will use all platforms to mobilize our members to boycott lessons from Monday, August 26,” KNUT National Coordinator Dan Aloo noted.

KNUT regional officials are warning parents against sending their learners to class from next Monday.

“The agreement which was made between us and the TSC should be implemented 100 per cent. Parents, do not send your children to school; there will be no classes,” said KNUT Kisii South Secretary Jared Mariera.

KNUT Kisii South Chairperson Beatrice Mauti added: “There will be no classes starting Monday; children should stay home.”

The sentiments were echoed by officials from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers.

“We have held sufficient talks… All teachers will down their tools on Monday,” said KUPPET Laikipia Secretary Robert Miano.

With no end in sight to the stalemate, learners and parents find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they prepare for Term 3 of the education calendar.