Kaimenyi calls for more time makes it clear teachers demands will be met but not now

By Augustine Oduor and Linah Benyawa

MOMBASA, KENYA: Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has asked the teachers unions to allow time for dialogue instead of asking teachers to boycott classes.

Addressing head-teachers in Mombasa, Kaimenyi asked for time for the ministry to consult over the matter and come up with a lasting solution.

He however, said the Government was committed to funding the education sector and likened teachers’ demands to a spouse who pesters the husband to purchase her a Toyota Prado car.

“If your wife wants a Prado and you don’t have the money, do you run away? You first buy her a small car then later look for ways and means to get what she asked for,” he said.

His sentiment was interpreted to mean that teachers may not get what they are demanding now, and that they should consider at least getting something offered by the State.

“The Government is committed to financing education and so, we are calling for understanding from teachers on such matters of public interest,” he said.

He said the Government is aware of all the collective agreements as enumerated by teachers.

Bargaining agreement

“It is our responsibility to ensure that the Collective Bargaining Agreements are implemented,” he said amid applause from teachers.

Kaimenyi said his ministry is also aware of the pay disparities and noted that all Kenyans must be treated equally.

“We are all expected to be women and men of understanding,” he said adding that after his meeting with the Deputy President, there is a general agreement that teachers’ matters must be addressed.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) played their difference in full glare of over 7,000 secondary schools heads meeting in Mombasa.

Knut national chairman Wilson Sossion said there is no strike unless his union has called for one.

He said the union has allowed the Government time to consult and dialogue with them even as they ready for ‘the mother’ of all strikes in the country.

“There can not be a successful strike if it is not called by Knut,” he said.

But even as he spoke, Kuppet National Vice-Chairperson Julius Korir said the strike has kicked off well and that teachers have absconded duty.

Korir said the union had submitted their proposals to the budget committee and also lobbied through the Ministry of Education but still, Treasury failed to allocate monies at all.

And in what looked like a referendum on the strike, all the Principals shouted and raised their hands in agreement with the strike.

Kenya National Parents and Teachers Association Chairman Nathan Barasa who opposed the planned strike was shouted down as his idea was not popular with the Principals.

“Teachers should stop acting immature. They should engage the Government instead of threats,” he said. He was not allowed to complete his statement.

Korir said it is unacceptable for teachers to continue earning meager allowances compared to civil servants. He said the highest paid teacher at job group R takes home some Sh4, 412 medical allowances while civil servants take home five times the amount.

Discrimination

“We will not accept any form of discriminations in this day and edge. We are the only people who do not have responsibility allowances and the State should stop such discriminations,” he said adding that Kuppet wants all allowances harmonised.

But Knut explained that once they call the strike, there shall be no negotiations. The Union’s Deputy Secretary General Mudzo Nzili took the school heads through their demands.

He said the 1997 agreement as were negotiated and gazzetted must be fully implemented. He said the 2003 legal notice that amended the allowances is null and void, as the house committee on delegated legislation last year had rejected it.

He also said teachers failed to strike a deal with a conciliator after a one month negotiation on the legal notice.

“A certificate of disagreement was generated and this means that all teachers will now go for a protected strike,” he said.

Nzili said teachers deserve better pay and asked for teachers’ support. “Are we all in agreement that we should go on strike to push for better pay?” he asked the Principals, who unanimously endorsed the strike, if it comes to be.

But what brought the drama between the two unions is when Korir maintained that teachers in primary schools already earn responsibility allowances.

“We represent you (post primary teachers) and you are not paid responsibility allowances. For the others who are still looking for legal notices some of their members already get the allowances,” he said, trying to win support of the Principals.

Kuppet draws most of its members from secondary schools. Currently, the union has over 40,000 members while Knut that largely draws its members from primary schools has over 200,000 teachers.