Government and Policy

TSC Agrees To Implement The Following Issues But Teachers Still Say NO

BY Getrude Mathayo · August 23, 2024 04:08 pm

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, met with officials of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) over the delayed implementation of the reviewed 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

TSC announced that it had resolved some of the issues raised by teachers in their letter to the commission. According to TSC, they have reached an agreement with KUPPET and KNUT for the implementation of the second phase of the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).

The commission, through their CEO, Nancy Macharia said that the government provided funds for the implementation of the 2^nd phase of the CBA with effect from July 1, 2024.

“Effectively, the unions have noted the TSC position and agreed to consult their internal organs to withdraw the strike notice. We, therefore, wish to thank the unions for engaging the Commission to ensure non-disruption of learning in schools during the Third Term, 2024,” Macharia said.

Earlier, the teacher unions had issued a strike notice and directed teachers to stay away from classrooms from Monday, August 26, 2024.

The full implementation of the 2021–25 CBA, the promotion of 130,000 stagnated teachers, the allocation of 15 billion shillings for teachers’ medical cover, and the release of teachers’ emoluments for July 2024 were among their demands.

Teachers also want TSC to remit all loans and NSSF deductions to the statutory bodies, saying the commission has, since June 2024, deducted the monies but failed to remit them to third-party agents including banks.

TSC promised to review the career progression guidelines, urging teachers to be patient as the process was still ongoing. Additionally, the commission announced that teachers can now access both public and private hospitals under the Teachers Medical Scheme.

According to Nancy Macharia, TSC has promoted 51,232 teachers under competitive promotions and a further 20,000 to be promoted annually on the common cadre.

“The TSC has promoted 51,232 teachers under competitive promotions and a further 20,000 annually on common cadre,” Macharia said.

Macharia added that the government has provided resources for the retooling of teachers for the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). TSC revealed that the teachers’ unions took note of its position and agreed to consult their internal organs to withdraw the strike notice.

“We, therefore, wish to thank the unions for engaging the Commission to ensure non-disruption of learning in schools during the Third Term, 2024,” TSC noted in a statement.

“The TSC wishes to profusely thank the Government for providing adequate resources for the CBA and all other teacher programs despite the harsh economic environment.”