Teachers allied to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) have vowed not to return to class until the government meets their demands.
In Kisii, the teachers, dressed in yellow shirts, staged demonstrations on Monday to affirm their commitment to the nationwide strike.
This is happening even as learners go back to school for the third term.
“Sisi kama walimu wa secondary school katika nchini Kenya, hatuendi shuleni (As secondary school teachers, we are not going to school),” they said.
In Bungoma, teachers assembled at Bungoma High School to ensure that no teacher or student would enter into the compound.
“From here we are moving to other schools to ensure that they are closed,” their spokesperson said, advising parents not to send their children to schools.
They said they want the confirmation of 46,000 interns and the promotion of 130,000 teachers who did interviews.
Secondary school teachers in Bungoma hit out at the Kenya National Union of Teachers for calling off the strike.
“I want to tell my colleagues in the primary sector, teachers who are affected and suffering like teachers in kuppet, come forward we participate in this strike together.”
In Mombasa, the teachers vowed to continue supporting the Junior Secondary School teachers.
They vowed to continue striking until all their demands were met.
“We are not going to relent. Hatuuziwi uoga, hatununui uoga, mwalimu lazima aheshimiwe,” the Kuppet official in Mombasa said.
In Eldoret, teachers protested following the government’s decision to reduce their allocation for their medical cover from Sh22 billion to Sh11 billion.
Led by Kuppet Uasin Gishu branch Secretary Elijah Maiyo, they said they want “TSC and the government to also review our carrier progression before we return to work.”
The Kuppet members matched on the streets before handing over a memorandum of demands at the TSC office in Eldoret.
On Sunday, Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori said, the “Strike (is) on”.
Teachers have forwarded six demands before they can consider going back to school.
The implementation of Phase Two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement is the only issue that appears to be resolved while five other issues are still pending.
“After today’s discussions, the commission is pleased to announce that the government has provided funds for the implementation of the 2nd phase of the CBA with effect from 1st July 2024,” TSC said in a statement after Wednesday’s talks.
The other issues include the confirmation into Permanent and Pensionable employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers currently engaged as interns.
Other demands are the promotion of more than 130,000 teachers who have stagnated in one job group for 10 years and above and the release of third-party deductions.
Teachers also want the remittance of medical funds to the AON insurance scheme and the immediate payment of retirement benefits to those who retire from public service.
As Kuppet went ahead with the plan to down their tools, Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu urged teachers to report to work, citing “government commitment to addressing teachers’ concerns”.
