NAIROBI, Kenya- The ongoing teachers’ strike led by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) shows no signs of stopping, despite a recent Labour Court order to halt the action.
KUPPET’s defiance underscores the escalating tensions between the union and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), with both sides digging in as students gear up for critical national exams.
On Wednesday, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori announced that the strike, which began on Monday, would continue unabated.
Misori argued that the court’s injunction arrived too late to make an impact, stating, “The court talked about the intended strike, yet the strike had already begun. TSC went to court on Tuesday when the strike had already started, so we cannot call it off on the basis of those orders.”
Despite the High Court’s ruling on Tuesday to suspend the strike pending further legal proceedings, Misori remained resolute, asserting that teachers are prepared to stay the course until their demands are met.
The strike has not only disrupted the education sector but also jeopardized ongoing negotiations.
According to Misori, KUPPET had already initiated talks with Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua regarding a return-to-work formula before the TSC’s legal maneuvering put those discussions in limbo.
The court’s intervention has added a layer of complexity to an already tense situation, leaving both sides at an impasse.
The High Court’s order, issued by Justice James Rika of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi, has momentarily stalled the legal proceedings but has done little to quell the unrest among the teaching fraternity.
The urgency of the TSC’s petition, which seeks to halt the strike, reflects the growing concern over the disruption caused as students prepare for crucial national assessments.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has acknowledged the vital role teachers play in the education ecosystem, emphasizing that their contribution cannot be taken for granted.
However, Ogamba also highlighted the importance of maintaining seamless school operations, especially during a term when students are gearing up for national exams.
“This is why, as a government, we will do all we can to improve their terms and conditions of service. Already, resources have been provided for the implementation of the 2021–25 Collective Bargaining Agreement,” Ogamba said during a visit to Lenana School Primary in Kajiado County.
Ogamba’s comments come at a critical time as the government seeks to balance the need for uninterrupted education with the legitimate concerns raised by teachers.
The outcome of this standoff will likely have significant implications for the country’s education sector in the months to come.
As KUPPET continues its strike despite the court’s intervention, the education sector finds itself in a precarious situation. With students’ futures hanging in the balance, the resolution of this conflict will require careful negotiation and compromise from all parties involved.
