Mudavadi’s Speech Leaves Teachers Disappointed at Kuppet Annual Convention
During the Silver Jubilee and Annual Delegates Convention of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi failed to answer teachers’ demands.
Teachers had asked the government for funding of education, permanent and pensionable terms for interns, and payment increases.
Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi acknowledged the teachers’ concerns but emphasized the necessity of considering the state of the economy.
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Mudavadi acknowledged the challenges faced by JSS teachers, particularly concerning the stipend they receive. While recognizing that the education sector commands a substantial portion of public resources, he emphasized that there remains considerable work to be done.
Mudavadi expressed a commitment to addressing these challenges, asserting that they will not evade the issues but, instead, work systematically with stakeholders to achieve a more favorable position in the future.
Akelo Misori, Secretary General of the Kuppet, stated that the rallying cry was for the government to fund education.
Misori expressed the primary concern of the day as the government’s funding of education. He emphasized that when education receives proper funding from the government, commercialization and casualization become infrequent.
Misori accused the administration of breaking its pledge by treating education casually through delayed capitation payments and school underfunding.
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Misori asserted that the learning material in public schools is markedly inferior when compared to private schools. He highlighted that this disparity significantly impacts the overall performance of the schools.
The teachers’ union asserted the need to address working conditions for Junior Secondary School teachers, claiming that these educators play a crucial role in implementing government programs, especially during the transition period.
Misori reported that the government had committed to issuing letters of confirmation to individuals after they had served for one year.
According to Misori, intern teachers do not have the same access to health insurance as their regular and pensionable colleagues.
He stated that the government should not be concerned with increasing the number of teachers without first considering their welfare.
Mudavadi stated that his government is active in economic diplomacy to ensure that teachers can find teaching employment in other countries.
Mudavadi stressed the need to explore alternative outlets for exporting skilled human labor. He emphasized the importance of expanding the scope to include opportunities beyond local confines, providing teachers with avenues to seek livelihoods in the diaspora where more favorable prospects may be available.
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He also stated that the administration plans to expedite the privatization of loss-making public companies.
Musalia Mudavadi suggested that addressing the financial challenges of the 355 parastatals and public entities currently experiencing losses and indebtedness could potentially free up substantial funds.
Mudavadi proposed redirecting the resulting savings towards ensuring fair compensation for interns by extricating these entities from their financial struggles and ceasing additional financial injections.
Mudavadi blamed the current financial crisis on previous presidents’ decisions.
He declared that the government must honor commitments made, considering them now sovereign, regardless of the originator. The government acknowledged the challenge and committed to directing efforts toward finding solutions.
Kenyan teachers, according to Education Director General Abdi Jillaow, are among the highest compensated in the region.
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Jillaow represented Ezekiel Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
Mudavadi’s Speech Leaves Teachers Disappointed at Kuppet Annual Convention
