Kuppet tells striking teachers to continue with the strike
What you need to know:
- On Tuesday, the Labour court in Nairobi suspended the ongoing teachers’ strike.
- Kuppet tells striking teachers to ignore any 'distractions' and go on with the strike.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has asked striking teachers to continue with their job boycott.
Kuppet made the calls on Tuesday evening just hours after the Labour court in Nairobi suspended the ongoing teachers’ strike called by the union.
On Tuesday, Justice James Rika said the job boycott would remain suspended until a case filed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is heard and determined.
But while responding to the court order Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori told the striking teachers to ignore any 'distractions' and go on with the strike.
This comes after the union instructed teachers across the country to boycott classes starting Monday, August 26th.
In a press statement, the union emphasised that this cause extends beyond the teachers themselves, highlighting the broader implications for the rights of all Kenyan children to receive a quality education.
“As the strike enters day three, we urge our members to ignore any distractions and continue picketing until the union shall have signed a return-to-work formula that addresses our grievances. The war continues,” said Mr Misori.
The union also expressed appreciation for support from courageous parents and students who have joined in the fight for teachers’ rights.
“Indeed, this cause is not for teachers alone but also for the rights of all Kenyan children to quality education,” Mr Misori said.
“We have received reports from the union's 47 branches confirming that learning has been paralysed in post-primary institutions across the country. Long suffering teachers have exercised their rights to demonstrate, rebuking the employer for oppressive employment policies,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Employment and Labour Relations court in Nairobi issued the order in response to an urgent application by the TSC lodged on Monday, August 26.
Justice James Rika said the orders will remain in place unless varied on September 5 when the court will mention the matter.
“Pending hearing and determination of the application inter partes, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the petitioner, restraining the respondent (Kuppet), its officials, members, employees, agents, or other person acting on its behalf, from withdrawing labour and or commencing, engaging in, participating or continuing to participate in the intended industrial action, set to commence on August 26, 2024, or any other time thereafter,” reads the order.
On Sunday evening, a rift emerged when the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) withdrew its notice of a strike just hours after Kuppet had voted to endorse the job boycott.
Both unions had issued a notices for industrial action that was to begin on Monday in protest over pay, delayed promotions and working conditions among other grievances.
Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu said their decision was informed by the need to give their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), time to address their “major demands”.
Among the teacher's demands is the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the promotion of teachers, the absorption of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on a permanent basis, and the reinstatement of their medical cover.
