NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has officially called off the teachers’ strike that was slated to begin on Monday, August 26.
The decision was made following a marathon meeting held on Sunday by KNUT’s National Executive Council (NEC). Despite lingering concerns, the union has chosen to return to the negotiation table with the government, signaling a cautious optimism for the resolution of pending issues.
In a statement signed by KNUT Secretary General Collins Henry Oyuu, the union announced, “The NEC has, therefore, today August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike action notice which was elapsing midnight August 25, 2024 since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively. In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024.”
This move comes as a relief to parents, students, and the education sector at large, which had been bracing for a major disruption.
The decision to halt the strike, according to KNUT, was driven by the recent progress in negotiations and the government’s commitment to addressing the union’s grievances.
These grievances include the permanent employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers, promotion of 130,000 teachers, the immediate implementation of the second phase of the 2021/2025 amended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and the timely remittance of third-party deductions.
KNUT acknowledged some strides made by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), such as the promotion of 51,232 teachers and the processing of third-party remittances.
However, the union remains skeptical about the full implementation of the amended CBA and other key demands.
Oyuu emphasized that while there has been progress, the union will continue to monitor the government’s actions closely to ensure all issues are addressed satisfactorily.
“Meanwhile we assure our members that the union is committed to resolve the matters herewith failure to which we shall revert to the initial position since the strike notice has only been withdrawn,” KNUT’s statement read.
The government has pledged to work hand in hand with KNUT to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the teaching profession.
The decision was made following a marathon meeting held on Sunday by KNUT’s National Executive Council (NEC). Despite lingering concerns, the union has chosen to return to the negotiation table with the government, signaling a cautious optimism for the resolution of pending issues.
In a statement signed by KNUT Secretary General Collins Henry Oyuu, the union announced, “The NEC has, therefore, today August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike action notice which was elapsing midnight August 25, 2024 since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively. In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024.”
This move comes as a relief to parents, students, and the education sector at large, which had been bracing for a major disruption.
The decision to halt the strike, according to KNUT, was driven by the recent progress in negotiations and the government’s commitment to addressing the union’s grievances.
These grievances include the permanent employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers, promotion of 130,000 teachers, the immediate implementation of the second phase of the 2021/2025 amended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and the timely remittance of third-party deductions.
KNUT acknowledged some strides made by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), such as the promotion of 51,232 teachers and the processing of third-party remittances.
However, the union remains skeptical about the full implementation of the amended CBA and other key demands.
Oyuu emphasized that while there has been progress, the union will continue to monitor the government’s actions closely to ensure all issues are addressed satisfactorily.
“Meanwhile we assure our members that the union is committed to resolve the matters herewith failure to which we shall revert to the initial position since the strike notice has only been withdrawn,” KNUT’s statement read.
The government has pledged to work hand in hand with KNUT to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the teaching profession.
