Kuppet pushes for mortgage, risk allowance as talks with TSC begin

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori. [PHOTO:GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD]

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has expressed optimism in the renewed talks with their employer.

Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori (pictured) yesterda said the talks with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) went 'very well' and he was optimistic of the outcome. "These talks are already behind the timeline schedule of 30 days given by President Uhuru Kenyatta. It is a high time the Collective Bargaining Agreement is implemented (CBA)," said Misori.

The meeting, which was attended by a high-powered delegation from TSC led by its chairperson Lydia Nzomo, resolved that a technical committee be formed within two weeks to look into teachers' demands and chart a way forward.

One of the top issues the talks sought to address was the disputed 50-60 per cent teachers' pay rise. Misori pointed out that if any increments are to be made in the teachers' pay, it will have to be factored in the next budget.

By the time we went to press, the Kenya National Union of Teachers officials were holed up in a similar meeting with TSC.

Apart from the 50 to 60 per cent pay rise, Misori revealed that other issues that were raised are promotions, risk and mortgage allowances for members, issues that will be tackled by the technical committee.

The talks between the two parties who have been at loggerheads follows President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive that they meet and come up with a four-year collective bargaining agreement that will address pertinent issues affecting the education sector.

As part of the government's demands, TSC wants teachers to sign performance contracts, a move that has been interpreted as a way to give the employer a lee way to punish teachers who participate in strikes.

Yesterday, Misori said the issue of contracts will be discussed in another meeting next week where they will table their proposals. "As Kuppet we are not against performance contracts and appraisals. What we do not want is for teachers to be subjected to disciplinary actions when the sector has more pressing problems that affect their performance. The government needs to address poor infrastructure, promotions and under-staffing in schools before such action is implemented," he said.

Over 7,000 heads of post-primary institutions will be expected to sign performance contracts while regular teachers will be subjected to appraisals.

The teachers' employer intends to use the contracts to promote, deploy and even train teachers to boost their teaching capacity.