The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has revealed that an agreement has been reached with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regarding the show-cause letters sent to Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers who have been engaging in protests nationwide.
Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori announced that the show-cause letters have been withdrawn by the TSC. Consequently, Misori emphasized that the JSS teachers are expected to resume their teaching duties by Monday.
With the resolution in place, the dispute regarding the show-cause letters appears to have been resolved amicably between Kuppet and the TSC.
“The union and the Commission have agreed that all show-cause letters and notices to exit earlier issued to the teachers will be withdrawn and normalcy returned to the JSS institutions not later than Monday, June 3 2024,” Misori said.
The Kuppet boss further elaborated that the union’s National Executive Board (NEB) has facilitated a return-to-work arrangement for Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers who have abstained from classes for over two weeks, advocating for their employment on permanent and pensionable terms.
Misori emphasized that during the NGC meeting on May 29, 2024, the union’s National Governing Council (NGC) authorized the NEB to utilize its influence to prevent any actions that could hinder the progress of the JSS teachers.
“In particular, the NGC condemned the issuance of show-cause letters by the TSC to the teachers,” he stated. Additionally, Misori reiterated that the union fully backs the teachers’ demand for employment on permanent and pensionable terms, aligning with the ruling of the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
“The court held that the teachers’ internship employment terms were illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.
“Accordingly, punishing the teachers for participating in legitimate labour action would be counterproductive to the stability in the sector, which is the lynchpin of the Competency-Based Curriculum.”
He commended the union’s National Executive Board’s efforts to lobby Parliament for the provision of Sh8.3 billion for the conversion of 26,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms in July this year.
“The Sh8.3 billion should cater for all intern teachers hired in January 2023,” he said.
Misori emphasized that the allocated funds of Sh 4.68 billion designated for new recruitment must be strictly utilized for permanent and pensionable employment. Additionally, he urged for additional funds to be allocated to convert the second cohort of teachers hired in September 2023.
During the NGC discussions, Misori highlighted concerns regarding the placement of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) within primary schools. He noted that these primary schools often lack the necessary number of teachers and critical infrastructure such as laboratories, libraries, and facilities for co-curricular activities essential for junior secondary level education.
Misori expressed concern that due to their placement within primary schools, JSS learners are deprived of essential practical knowledge across various subjects, particularly in the sciences, which is significantly detrimental to their educational development.
“Once again, the NGC urged the government to domicile the JSS in the existing secondary schools,” he said.
