KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET CBA Agreement With TSC: Everything You Need to Know
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) have sealed an epoch-making Agreement to amend the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Key highlights of the Agreement include:
1. Salary Increase:
Teachers will experience an impressive 9.5% increase in their Basic Salary. This increment will be distributed across two financial years, commencing on July 1, 2023.
2. Enhanced House Allowance:
The Agreement also features an augmented House Allowance for teachers categorized under Cluster 4. This increase, applicable from July 1, 2023, serves to harmonize the House allowance for Clusters 3 and 4.
Notably, 87% of public teaching service members fall under the Cluster 4 category, predominantly stationed in rural areas. The harmonization process is set to reach full fruition by July 2024.
In an expression of dedication to swift implementation, the revised salary structure will be integrated into the August payroll. Furthermore, arrears will be backdated to July 1, 2023, ensuring that teachers receive their rightful compensation without delay.
Advancements in Career Progression:
Beyond the financial advancements secured through the CBA, fruitful negotiations between the Commission and the Unions have resulted in the promotion of 14,738 teachers in August 2023.
Additionally, a significant stride has been made with the announcement of 36,275 vacancies for promotions. These proactive measures reflect a commitment to motivating educators and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement within the teaching profession.
Optimizing Special Needs Education (SNE) Teachers:
Addressing the distinctive needs of SNE teachers, the Commission and Unions have agreed to reassess the Career Progression and workload allocation of teachers stationed in Special Units.
This strategic initiative aims to maximize the utilization of these educators’ unique skills while fostering a more supportive and enriching learning environment for students with special needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented difficulties at the time of the original signing of this agreement, which runs from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.
In its press statement released on August 28, 2023, the TSC announced that, after candid and sincere deliberations, a mutual agreement has been reached between the TSC and the three trade unions.
The trade unions that signed were 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).
A provision was made to defer the monetary aspects of the CBA and revisit them once economic conditions improved.
The review process, initiated during the meeting held on August 22, 2022, involved the presentation of the TSC’s offer for consideration by the unions.
Subsequently, the unions requested additional time to thoroughly assess the offer, consult with their members, and engage their internal organs before reaching an informed decision.
With the objective of fostering industrial harmony within the education sector, all parties involved in the negotiations worked towards finalizing a deal that meets the aspirations and expectations of teachers.
The collaborative efforts culminated in an agreement that marks a positive step forward for both the teaching profession and the educational landscape of Kenya.
The TSC expressed its gratitude and recognition of the dedication and hard work put in by the teachers across the country to ensure quality education for Kenyan students.
As the employer, the TSC assured teachers of continued engagement through their elected representatives to enhance their terms and conditions of service.
KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET CBA Agreement With TSC: Everything You Need to Know
