Teachers endorse Sh6b health cover, reject curriculum rollout

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary General Wilson Sossion (right) former union official Francis Nganga. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Teachers have endorsed the Sh6 billion medical scheme and asked their employer to push for enhanced funding from the National Treasury.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) delegates, however, called for proper management of the AON Minet run medical scheme.

The union members made the resolutions at the conclusion of the 61st Annual Delegates Conference (ADC), where Western and Nyanza regions were the biggest winners in Knut elections at the Bomas of Kenya.

At the same time, the union endorsed suspension of the new curriculum rollout and called for a fresh start with serious stakeholders’ engagement.

“Delegates unanimously endorsed the decision by the Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed to suspend the roll out of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC),” reads the resolution. The union resolved to reject the professional development modules being implemented by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Delocalisation

They also agreed that TSC must withdraw delocalisation policy, saying it has separated families.

The teachers also resolved that the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) improves terms and conditions for teachers contracted to examine the national tests.

The union also wants the TSC to begin deducting non-union members agency fees.

In the elections, Wycliffe Omuchei from Western region was elected national chairman, effectively replacing Mudzo Nzili.

Collins Oyuu from Nyanza region scooped the First Vice National Chairman position, beating Patrick Karinga from Central.

Karinga is the current executive chairman, Nyeri branch, while Oyuu was the Assistant Secretary General before election.

Clement Omollo now assumes the Assistant Secretary General’s position.

Clement Gicheru, who is the current Executive Secretary of Kiambu East branch, and Joseph Ndungu, former Nyandarua executive secretary, also vied for the Assistant Secretary General’s position.

Rosalia Mkanjala was elected the second national vice chairman.

Mkanjala, who has been the Taita Taveta executive secretary, squared it out with Kadzo Unda, who is the national trustee and Malindi branch secretary.

Abdirizack Aden was elected third national trustee.

Four regions fought to claim top Knut leadership positions in what was feared would tear the union apart.

Nyanza, Mombasa, Western and Central regions faced off in an election that was billed as the toughest and most polarising in the union’s history.

A total of 1,870 delegates participated in the vote. The four regions cumulatively have 926 delegates.

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