JSS teachers reject TSC's return-to-work deal citing betrayal by KUPPET

A section of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers has rejected the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) return-to-work agreement, alleging betrayal by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

This comes after KUPPET claimed it had brokered a deal with TSC which had promised that teachers would be hired on permanent terms in the upcoming financial year.

Following the agreement, the teachers were to resume classes on Monday, June 3, 2024.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori who acted as the mediator said the union and the teachers' employer had agreed to withdraw all show-cause letters issued to the striking teachers.

According to KUPPET, the JSS teachers were not part of a trade union and thus could not form a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“Punishing teachers for taking part in legitimate industrial action would be counterproductive to stability in the sector. KUPPET will lobby Parliament for the allocation of Sh8.3 billion for the conversion of 26,000 trainee teachers to permanent and pensionable terms in July this year,” Misori said.

He noted that the Sh8.3 billion will cater for all intern teachers hired in January 2023.

However, on Saturday evening, a faction of JSS teachers dismissed the deal terming it a ‘betrayal’.

Kenya Junior School Teachers Association spokesperson Daniel Murithi revealed that some officials were summoned to a meeting on Friday and urged to call off the strike without concrete commitments from the TSC.

Murithi accused KUPPET and other 'purported leaders' of issuing misleading statements and maintained that any agreement must involve the right parties, namely the TSC or Parliament through the labour committee.

KUPPET members, led by Secretary-General Akelo Misori and chairman Omboko Milemba, during a past press conference. (Photo: Handout)

Strike to continue

He directed all JSS teachers to await a planned meeting with the labour committee later this week, stating that the strike would continue until a formal agreement regarding the 46,000 intern teachers is signed.

“We rejected the offer and demanded to meet our employer who is responsible for such commitments that match our demands. However, we were shocked today to see KUPPET and some people who purport to be our leaders release a misleading statement,” Murithi said.

“We therefore urge all JSS teachers to wait for the planned meeting with the labour committee that will take place this week. The strike is still on until a formal agreement has been signed regarding all the 46,000 intern teachers.”

The TSC had issued warning letters to the striking teachers accusing them of professional misconduct due to absenteeism.

The letters cited a breach of the TSC Act Schedule Clause (b), highlighting that their absence from duty constitutes professional misconduct.

The Commission had warned that failure to provide a valid reason for their absence could result in the termination of their internships.

“It is noted with a lot of concern that you breached the provision of TSC Act Schedule Clause (b) in that you engaged in professional misconduct by being absent from duty. Given the above, the commission is contemplating termination of your engagement as an intern. Therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause why the internship engagement with the commission should not be terminated,” read the letter.

Appearing before the Budget and Appropriations Committee last week, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Education Julius Melly, announced that Sh8.3 billion has been allocated for the permanent employment of 26,000 who are currently on contract.

He said the TSC should streamline the recruitment process to ensure optimal resource utilisation and convert the 26,000 interns to permanent positions by July 2024.

“Beginning the next financial year, the Teachers Service Commission should streamline the recruitment process to ensure that resources assigned to this function are fully utilised. Further, the commission should convert the 26,000 interns to permanent employment beginning July 2024 and not January 2025 as proposed,” Melly said.

The committee also urged the TSC to evaluate staff norms within six months to determine the optimal number of teachers needed for future resource allocation and deployment.

Melly noted that the Ministry of Education would require an additional Sh4.68 billion to recruit an additional 20,000 intern teachers in the financial year starting July 1, 2024.