State wires Sh30b to avert teachers’ Third Term strike

The government yesterday moved to avert a looming crisis as schools reopen for the Third Term next week, disbursing billions for schools’ capitation and teachers emoluments.

The National Treasury announced it had released Sh30 billion to the Ministry of Education for school capitation and higher education scholarships and loans to students.

Of the money, the State Department for Basic Education has been allocated Sh1.623 billion for free primary education in the third term that begins next week, the State Department for Basic Education has been allocated Sh14.145 billion for free day secondary education for the Third Term.

On the other hand, the State Department for Basic Education has been allocated Sh6.109 billion for Junior Secondary Education for the third term, the State Department for Higher Education and Research has been allocated Sh5.197 billion for Higher Educations Loans Board while the State Department for Higher Education and Research received Sh2.820 billion for the Universities Fund Board.

Availed monies

At the same time, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) also announced that it had availed monies to implement the second phase of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in a bid to avert a nationwide teachers strike planned for next week.

TSC said that following its decisions various unions that had called for the strike had taken note of the developments and agreed to consult their internal organs with a view to withdrawing the strike notice. The CBAs were signed in June 2021 and amended by an addendum in August 2023. The first phase was to be implemented by June 30, and the second phase effected on July 1.

Read the statement: “After today’s discussions, the Commission is pleased to announce that the Government has provided funds for the implementation of the 2nd phase of the CBA with effect from 1st July 2024.”

The TSC leadership which met with Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) also said issues raised by trade unions had issues had been resolved by the commission.

Among the issues they resolved include review of the Career Progression Guidelines, ensuring up to date remittance of third party deductions, ensuring teachers access both public and private hospitals under the Teachers Medical Scheme.

Provided resources

Further the commission said the Government had provided resources for retooling of teachers for the implementation of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

Reads the statement: “We, therefore, wish to thank the unions for engaging the Commission to ensure non-disruption of learning in schools during the Third Term, 2024. The TSC wishes to profusely thank the Government for providing adequate resources for the CBA and all other teacher programmes despite the harsh economic environment.”

In the meeting, the commission assured teachers that it is committed to provide a conducive working environment for all the teachers in its employment.

Read the statement: “We are therefore beseeching all our teachers to report to schools on Monday for the start of the Third Term now that the Government has released funds for the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025.”

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

The action by TSC came after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed the Ministry has received the teachers’ strike notice just a day after Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Tuesday, held a crucial meeting with a section of the KNUT in a bid to avert a looming strike as the third term approaches.

“We received a strike notice and of course, there is a procedure; the notice goes to TSC which has to handle that aspect then we step in.

“The KNUT leadership is meeting with TSC leadership to discuss the issue of the strike,” Ogamba stated. The teacher unions had issued a strike notice and directed teachers to stay away from classrooms from Monday, August 16 until their demands are met.

KNUT Secretary Collins Oyuu threatened that the teachers would go on strike due to the failure of the government to honour the second phase of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2021-2025.

Said Oyuu: “We raised the issue with the Budget and Appropriation Committee under the chairmanship of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Education counterpart Julius Melly (Tinderet MP) to ensure the allocations for the teachers are not tampered with, as that would be inviting chaos to the education sector. But it appears they did not listen.”

Among their demands include the full implementation of the 2021–25 CBA, the promotion of 130,000 stagnated teachers, the allocation of Sh15 billion for teachers’ medical cover, and the release of teachers’ emoluments for July.

They also want the teachers’ employer 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.