The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has intensified pressure on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), demanding immediate action on several long-standing issues affecting teachers across the country.
KUPPET leaders have warned that failure by the commission to address the concerns could trigger major disruptions in the education sector, including possible industrial action.
Speaking on Saturday, May 16, during a post-election meeting attended by union officials and members, KUPPET leaders expressed frustration over what they described as years of neglect, delayed promotions, and unfulfilled agreements that have left thousands of teachers demoralized and financially strained.
At the center of the union’s demands is the promotion of approximately 135,000 teachers who have reportedly remained stuck in the same job groups for many years despite having extensive teaching experience and meeting the required qualifications for advancement.
According to KUPPET, some teachers have served for nearly three decades without receiving meaningful career progression, a situation the union says has created widespread inequality within the teaching profession.
KUPPET National Vice Chairperson Julius Korir criticized the current promotion system, arguing that many teachers have dedicated their lives to serving in schools under difficult conditions only to remain stagnant for years.
“We cannot continue accepting a situation where teachers remain in one job group for decades without promotion. Some teachers work for up to 30 years before reaching the D5 job group. That is unfair and unacceptable. We want the promotion process streamlined and the waiting period reduced to ensure fairness and equality for all teachers,” Korir stated.
The union is now calling on the Teachers Service Commission to urgently advertise promotion vacancies and create a transparent system that guarantees deserving teachers’ opportunities for career growth.
KUPPET leaders insist that promotions should not be limited to a small number of positions while thousands remain stuck despite their qualifications and years of service.
In addition to promotions, the union is also demanding the immediate confirmation of 44,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable terms. KUPPET argues that the prolonged use of internship terms has negatively affected the morale, motivation, and performance of young teachers working in schools across the country.
According to union officials, many intern teachers continue to handle full teaching responsibilities despite receiving lower pay and lacking job security. The union maintains that these teachers deserve equal treatment and should be absorbed into permanent employment without further delays.
KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori also raised concerns over the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), accusing the commission of moving too slowly in executing the agreed terms.
He insisted that teachers expect full implementation of the second phase of the agreement by July 2027 as earlier agreed.
“The commission should assure teachers that the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA, which was signed last year, will be fully implemented by July 2027. Teachers are waiting for the promises made in that agreement to be honored,” Misori said.
The union further warned TSC against any plans to reduce hardship allowances currently enjoyed by teachers working in marginalized and hardship areas.
KUPPET leaders said they had received reports suggesting that the commission may be considering changes to the allowance structure, something they strongly oppose.
Korir cautioned the commission against interfering with the allowances, saying the payments were legally protected and essential in supporting teachers working under difficult conditions.
“We are hearing discussions about attempts to touch hardship allowances despite existing legal agreements between KUPPET and TSC. We want to make it very clear that teachers will resist any abrupt changes to those allowances,” he warned.
The latest demands come at a time when tensions are already rising within the education sector following TSC’s announcement that only 30,000 teachers will be promoted this year.
The number is significantly lower than the previously anticipated 50,000 promotions that many teachers had expected after increased funding was allocated to the education sector in the national budget.
The reduction has sparked disappointment and anger among teachers, many of whom had hoped the additional budgetary allocation would create wider opportunities for advancement. Teachers argue that the limited promotions will leave thousands still trapped in the same job groups, worsening frustration and dissatisfaction within the profession.
Many educators have also complained about what they describe as an unfair and inconsistent promotion system that disadvantages teachers who have served in remote or under-resourced schools for years without recognition.
KUPPET now says that unless the Teachers Service Commission urgently addresses the issues of promotions, intern teacher confirmation, CBA implementation, and hardship allowances, the union may be forced to mobilize teachers for nationwide industrial action.
Read Also: KUPPET Demands Immediate Hiring Of 44,000 Intern Teachers After Court Ruling