Relief for Parents and Students as Teachers’ Strike Ends After Intense Negotiations.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has suspended its nationwide strike after a day-long negotiation with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). This decision brings relief to parents, students, and educators, following weeks of uncertainty in Kenya’s education sector.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori, speaking at the TSC headquarters on Monday, September 2, 2024, announced that teachers across the country are to resume duties immediately, even as they continue to address unresolved issues with the commission.

“From the Union’s side, we suspend the strike and ask our teachers to go back to class pending the speedy resolution of these matters as already agreed upon between us and the commission,” Misori stated.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the negotiations had been productive and that both parties had explored alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. “The TSC has today held a bipartite negotiation with the union with a view to ending the work boycott through alternative dispute resolution as provided for in the recognition agreement between parties. To this end, we are happy to report to the nation that we have reached an amicable settlement which will enable our teachers to resume duty immediately,” Macharia added.

The decision comes after a legal directive and advisement from TSC’s legal department, urging KUPPET to call off the strike to comply with a court order. TSC’s Director for Legal, Labour, and Industrial Relations, Cavin Anyuor, confirmed that significant progress had been made in addressing the grievances raised by KUPPET, emphasizing the need for further discussions.

However, KUPPET pointed out that while some contentious issues have been resolved, critical matters remain unaddressed, particularly those concerning career progression for teachers with advanced qualifications. Misori voiced the union’s frustration, stating, “The employer has refused to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of teachers who have gone an extra mile to further their education; they have refused to promote these teachers, thereby denying them the dignity and respect they deserve.”

As negotiations continue, both KUPPET and TSC express optimism that all outstanding issues will be resolved, ensuring a stable and conducive environment for learning in Kenya’s post-primary education institutions.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.