Crisis looms as TSC suspends recruitment and hardship pay

Knut officials observe a minute of silence in respect of the late former Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo. [Photo:Tabitha Otwori/Standard]

BY ALLAN KISIA AND AUGUSTINE ODUOR

Nairobi,Kenya:Teachers are worried about the loss of hardship allowances in some regions and a freeze on hiring and promotions by their employer.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has already asked the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to reinstate hardship allowances in Taita Taveta, Nyambene and Kericho within 14 days and implement all pending promotions immediately.

The union argues that TSC made the decision without consulting them contrary to the law.

“We don’t like strikes, but often enough we get pushed to the wall. We have been trying to engage the employer with no success,” said Knut national chairman Wilson Sossion. But in a quick rejoinder, TSC Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni said hardship allowances would be paid to teachers in areas gazetted by the government as hardship areas in the official gazette notice of 1997.

He also demanded to know the source of information Knut was basing their demands on because TSC has not released any circular on the matter.

But he confirmed the commission has suspended promotions and hiring of new teachers because it has no money.

He said TSC has asked Treasury for Sh3.5 billion to pay promoted teachers in this year’s Budget that is just about to be presented to Parliament, and another Sh7 billion for the recruitment of new teachers.

But Knut’s acting secretary general, Xavier Nyamu, differed saying that in 1997, teachers negotiated a Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) with the Government that included designating certain zones as hardship areas.

Withdrawn allowance

“However, TSC has unilaterally decided to rescind some of these areas and has withdrawn the hardship allowance payable in those areas,” noted Nyamu.

He named the affected schools as Athiru Secondary School and Kiguru, Kamene, Kalulu primary schools in Nyambene.

Others are Sondu, Tumoyot, Kapndege, Emtid, Kimasat, Kapilseli and Kaplesartet primary schools, all schools in Sigowet Division in Kericho and several in Taita Taveta.

Nyamu added that it was distressing to learn that TSC suspended promotion of teachers in all grades noting that some were due for promotion at the beginning of January.

“Let TSC be warned that teachers shall not and will not take this lying down. We demand that the TSC implements the pending promotions immediately,” added Nyamu.

Knut accused Lengoiboni of making “unilateral decisions”. Sossion regretted that the Government only listens to the grievances of teachers when they down their tools.

“It appears like we must go on strike for the Government to listen to us,” he explained.

The two made the remarks at a press conference in the union’s Nairobi offices. With them were members of Knut’s national steering committee.

Negotiated CBA

Nyamu said one party could not purport to tamper with a properly negotiated CBA.

“It is against universal norms, practices, traditions and labour laws to withdraw or reduce what an employee has been earning,” he stated.

Sossion noted that an earlier intended strike remains suspended from February 13 after stakeholders raised concerns.

“Now that we have a Government in place, we are fully back to business to address issues in the education sector, mostly those that affect teachers,” he said.

He said with the Government constituted, Knut would ensure the quality of education improves.

Promotion of teachers

“We have a number of issues, but the most urgent is the promotion of teachers and reinstatement of hardship allowances in certain regions. We want the employer to improve the benefits, the terms and conditions of teachers,” he reiterated.

“We have been trying to engage with the employer, but we have been unsuccessful,” he stated.

Nyamu noted that in March, they requested a meeting with TSC but got no response from the employer.

“On April 22, we wrote a letter for a consultative meeting, but nothing has been forthcoming. Why deny teachers what is rightfully theirs?” he queried.

He said teachers are annoyed and ready to do whatever it takes to get their benefits back.

“The employer must reinstate hardship allowances in affected areas within 14 days failure to which we shall take other drastic measures. Promotions should be done immediately,” he warned.

Improve terms

“You cannot remove benefits whereas we are asking for more,” Nyamu added.

In 1997 the union under the stewardship of the late Ambrose Adongo signed an agreement with the Government as contained in the Remuneration of Teachers Order of 1997.

The Government agreed to improve the teachers’ improve over a period of five years, and hence, teachers were required to end the strike.

The teachers claimed the salary deal with the Government was as a result of intense negotiations in 1997 after patience lasting over 15 years.

Yesterday, Knut said whoever becomes Education Secretary should be ready to understand and work with them.

“We do not care who ends up as Education Secretary as long as he or she can deliver. If they give us a troublesome person, then we will unleash more problems. We want someone who understands us,” he added.