KNUT SG Collins Oyuu Warns Intern Teachers Against Demonstrating
Collins Oyuu, secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers, has stated that there are people stirring up intern Junior Secondary School teachers on a one-year contract to organize protests.
JSS intern teachers have been protesting and organizing peaceful demonstrations for better contract terms for the past week.
Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu cautioned against exploiting young teachers for demonstrations, urging those inclined to protest to take their concerns to the streets instead. He emphasized the need for sincerity and steadfastness in handling teacher issues, advising colleagues in other union movements to adopt the same approach.
The Knut CEO addressed a National Executive Council meeting at the company’s headquarters on Sunday.
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“How for instance do you engage an intern who is not employed as permanent and pensionable to run into the streets? I was talking to some of them this morning, they don’t even know what they are doing.”
Oyuu stated that the interns are aware that someone arrived and incited them to take to the streets. “And I warned them, go to the streets and you shall no longer be an intern. What will you do?” Oyuu said.
He asked the interns to address their issues to their union representatives. Only then, he claims, will registered trade unions speak out on behalf of the interns to express their unhappiness with their contracts.
Collins Oyuu indicated that there would be significant developments starting Monday, culminating in the annual delegates conference. He mentioned a focus on addressing the challenges faced by interns and comprehensive school teachers, especially regarding their engagement with trade unions and legal considerations.
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Oyuu stated that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) engaged a big number of instructors as interns to alleviate the teacher shortages.
Collins Oyuu highlighted that the contract for the initial group of 20,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers is concluding on December 31, 2023. He expressed concern that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has not provided any communication about their future.
He claims that the majority of these teachers are in breach of their contracts and have no idea what to do or how the commission will handle their cases.
Another cohort of 1000 primary school teachers will finish on April 1, 2024, as will another cohort of 450 secondary school teachers on the same date.
Oyuu asserted Knut’s demand for the removal of clauses 56 and 58 in the ongoing review of the Teachers’ Code of Regulations, citing their alleged violation of International Labour Conventions, Laws, and the Labour Relations Act, 2007 clause 5. (1).
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The contract of the second cohort of 18,000 Junior Secondary School teachers expires on September 1, 2024, as do the contracts of 2,000 primary school teachers.
The union also stated that because the teachers on contracts have served well and with distinction, the commission should, without prejudice, transfer them to permanent and pensionable status after their contractual period expires.
Oyuu stated that teachers must be given priority in the upcoming teacher hiring in 2024.
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KNUT SG Collins Oyuu Warns Intern Teachers Against Demonstrating
