Sossion to call for strike if teachers are forced to sign performance contracts

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion

Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion has threatened to call for a national teacher's strike, if the government compels its members to sign performance contracts.

Sossion while faulting the introduction of performance contracts in the education sector said it is bound to fail because it will not enhance quality education.

"When we talk of quality education, we mean one teacher to an acceptable ratio of learners and improved infrastructure that fit for a conducive learning environment," he said.

The Knut boss said performance contracts will not be a recipe for quality education, but more of funding, enough human resource and learning materials will improve the kind of education being offered.

"US and other developed countries tried to introduce the performance contract in the education sector but withdrew it after they found out that it compromised quality of education being offered, this thing should not be imposed on Kenyan teachers," noted Sossion.

Speaking in Kapsowar, Marakwet West during Knut branch elections, Sossion said it is the obligation of the government to ensure there is quality education being rendered in all learning institutions through provision of all requirements including staffing.

During the elections, John Cheberi was re-elected as branch executive secretary.

"Learning institutions should be given enough manpower and resources because in the secondary education for instance, we hear of increased intake of students but facilities and teachers remain the same thus compromising the quality of education," Sossion pointed out.

Sossion blamed the private sector especially businessmen for commercializing provision of education making it unaffordable despite being a fundamental human right.

"Education is a fundamental right as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No.4 in line with the United Nations (UN) and it should not be commercialized but made accessible for all to enjoy it," observed session.

At the same time, the Knut secretary general applauded the education CS Fred Matiangi for abolishing the parents association saying it was fleecing parents of their hard earned money.

"Parents of Kenya were suffering in silence while remitting millions of money without getting value for it," he said.

Sossion also said the CS should refrain from making impromptu visits to schools but instead marshal for more funds to aid in provision of quality education.

"I will also be visiting schools which the CS has already visited to highlight challenges being faced by the schools. The CS should not victimize school management but instead increase allocation to the learning institutions," he said.

However, Sossion said they have not formed a political party nor convened a meeting to discuss any political matters or taken a political stand on national discourse.