Days after schools opened for the third term, teachers in Kenya, under the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), took to the streets and vowed not to return to work until the government addresses their grievances.
The strike, now in its fourth day, has left parents confused and students uncertain about what steps to take next, with some students, who are expected to sit for their national exams, fear the strike might affect their final results.
Despite the Employment and Labour Relations Court temporarily suspending the strike on August 27th, KUPPET officials announced that the teachers would continue the strike.
They criticized the employer’s decision to take the matter to court, even after the strike had already commenced.
In Taita Taveta County, led by the branch secretary general Ismael Omoke, teachers marched through Voi town to the TSC offices, holding placards and dancing to various tunes as they voiced their grievances to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government.
“Today we have deliberately gone against the court order because we know that TSC has the power and means to pay teachers,” said Omoke.
He also stated that the strike was protected and teachers should not be intimidated by messages from their bosses urging them to return to their workstations.
“Teaching is not a calling, it’s a profession, so teachers should not be intimidated when fighting for their rights,” Omoke added.
One of the major demands from the teachers is the streamlining of the comprehensive medical cover for all teachers. Another demand is the promotion of teachers who have stagnated in the same job groups for over five years.
The teachers also argued that Junior Secondary School interns should be confirmed, as they have played a major role in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum.
The union has accused TSC and the Ministry of Education of neglecting their obligations, leaving teachers frustrated and demoralized.
“TSC is supposed to address teachers’ issues, but it has become an oppressor of the teachers,” said one union member.
The teachers also noted that on Friday, they would be demonstrating in Taveta town and are calling on other teachers under the union to join them.
