Only dialogue, not political brinkmanship, will solve teachers’ pay rise dispute

The stand-off between teachers and the Government over pay is not likely to go away any time soon, judging by the stances both parties have taken on the matter.

The President has categorically stated there is no money to pay teachers the 50 to 60 per cent pay award; although in part he is concerned that paying them may trigger demands for increased salaries from other members of the civil service.

The Judiciary, the Executive and Legislature are operating out of sync on this fragile matter. When the Judiciary awarded teachers the increment, it might not have taken into account the prevailing economic conditions.

Some Members of Parliament, though the House is on recess, have been calling for a special session to discuss a supplementary budget to pay teachers. They have raised the argument that allocations to ministries could be reduced to raise the Sh 1.7 billion needed immediately to pay teachers for the first month as a more permanent solution is sought.

This by itself had raised the teachers’ hope that there are funds that could actualise their new salaries. The Executive has however dashed that hope. The President says there is no money while his deputy calls on teachers to respect the Constitution, the Teachers Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. Yet in all this, the issue of the Government honouring the court order is being circumvented. With such misunderstandings, what then is the way forward for the teachers, students and parents?

The teachers’ unions have vowed to continue with the strike unless their pay is effected and blame the Government for ignoring court orders. If the High Court’s ruling today declares their strike illegal, having failed to follow the laid-down procedure, will teachers honour the verdict of the court to go back to class? This makes the situation tricky, leaving only one course of action; constructive engagement devoid of all the grandstanding. Both parties must put their issues on the table afresh and be willing to meet halfway.

Teachers no doubt deserve their pay. However, their militant stance may eventually work against their best interests, especially now that things are destined to take on a political angle with the Opposition pushing the Government to honour the award, if only to score off political points from a Government that finds itself between a rock and a hard place. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers ( Kuppet) has even called on the Government of President Uhuru Kenyatta to resign for having let down teachers and ignored court orders, yet how that will solve the problems of teachers is not apparent.

Sobriety must prevail on this matter. Parents are caught in the middle, not knowing how to advocate for the teachers’ demands and stand up for their children’s rights without appearing insensitive to the plight of the other. In fact, the national union of parents has threatened to sue the Government. That will only help muddy the waters more when all Kenyans need is a lasting solution.

We cannot afford to be a country that solves its pressing issues through strikes and brinkmanship because the time lost through such negative endeavours could be put to good use developing the country to meet the noble goals set out under Vision 2030.