Pressure High as Details Now Show Why Third Term May Be Disrupted as Teachers Issue Threat
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a seven-day strike notice to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), warning that teachers across the country will withdraw their labour if long-delayed promotions are not effected.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori said the union is demanding the immediate promotion of at least 16,000 teachers whose advancement has been delayed despite meeting the required qualifications.
He accused the commission of failing to honour its commitment to improve teachers' career progression, leaving thousands frustrated and demoralised.
Speaking on the looming industrial action, Misori maintained that the union would not back down unless the promotions are implemented within the seven-day ultimatum.
"Promote the teachers or we down our tools," Misori declared, insisting that teachers have waited long enough for justice and recognition of their service.
The strike threat raises fears of disruption to learning in secondary schools should the standoff between KUPPET and TSC remain unresolved.
Thousands of learners could be affected if teachers make good on their warning at the expiry of the notice.
The union argues that delayed promotions have denied many teachers better salaries, career growth and motivation, with some serving in the same job groups for several years despite being eligible for advancement.
KUPPET says addressing the issue is essential to improving morale and maintaining quality education in public schools.
Education stakeholders are now expected to closely monitor the negotiations between KUPPET and the TSC in the coming days, hoping for an agreement that will avert a nationwide strike.
If no deal is reached before the expiry of the notice, teachers are expected to stage industrial action, potentially bringing learning in many public secondary schools to a standstill and piling pressure on the government to resolve the dispute without further delay.
