Teachers Pay Rise Demand Unrealistic, Machogu tells KNUT.
The government has scoffed at teachers’ fresh requests for a 65 percent salary raise, stating that it is unreasonable.
Instead, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said on Wednesday that teachers should be aware of the bad economic situation in the country.
“I am informed that you have already raised concerns about inflation and your CBA
2021 to 2025, which did not have a monetary component. I call upon your leaders to be realistic in reading the signs of the day, consult widely and ensure that all deliberations have the learners’ interests at heart. I’m sure we will reach an agreement and move on as a country,” said the CS.
This was said in a speech delivered by Nelson Sifuna, the regional director of Education for Nyanza, during the 62nd Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) conference in Kisumu.
Tuesday, when addressing the press, Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated that they will meet with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and present a request for a 60% pay increase for all teachers.
The union said that the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was primarily focused on school principals and their deputies, but this time they are calling for all teachers to be included.
Among Knut’s other demands are a curriculum revision and the establishment of a teachers’ appeals tribunal to handle disciplinary cases and delocalization.
Mr. Machogu stated on Wednesday that the government recognizes that education changes would only be successful if teachers participate in consultations.
“This explains why President William Ruto appointed eight classroom teachers to be members of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms to ensure their lived classroom experiences inform the dialogues with the public on the education we want,” he said.
The CS stated that the government is committed to collaborating with teachers to improve teaching and learning outcomes that will benefit students the most.
According to him, the government of Kenya Kwanza has a planned education charter that places teachers at the center of the master plan.
Teachers Pay Rise Demand Unrealistic, Machogu tells KNUT.