KENYA: Catholic Church appeals for dialogue to end teachers’ strike
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| Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba |
The chairman
of Commission for Education & Religious Education of the Kenya Conference
of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba has urged the
Teachers Service Commission and the Teachers’ Union to engage in dialogues to
put an end to the ongoing teachers’ strike which has reached the third week and
paralyzed learning in public schools throughout the country.
of Commission for Education & Religious Education of the Kenya Conference
of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba has urged the
Teachers Service Commission and the Teachers’ Union to engage in dialogues to
put an end to the ongoing teachers’ strike which has reached the third week and
paralyzed learning in public schools throughout the country.
In a
statement issued on Monday 14th September, 2015, Bishop Muhatia, who
is also the Bishop of Nakuru Diocese said that the Catholic Church in Kenya is
saddened by the strike and is more concerned that both the Teachers Service
Commission and the Teachers’ Unions are unwilling to sit at the negotiating
table and agree on how to settle the problem of 50-60% pay increase.
statement issued on Monday 14th September, 2015, Bishop Muhatia, who
is also the Bishop of Nakuru Diocese said that the Catholic Church in Kenya is
saddened by the strike and is more concerned that both the Teachers Service
Commission and the Teachers’ Unions are unwilling to sit at the negotiating
table and agree on how to settle the problem of 50-60% pay increase.
“Our biggest
concern is for millions of innocent children who continue to bear the brunt of
the strike and remain uncertain about their learning and future,” said the
statement adding that the Church passionately appeals to all parties involved
to review their positions in the best interest of these children
notwithstanding the sacrifices that have to be made.
concern is for millions of innocent children who continue to bear the brunt of
the strike and remain uncertain about their learning and future,” said the
statement adding that the Church passionately appeals to all parties involved
to review their positions in the best interest of these children
notwithstanding the sacrifices that have to be made.
In August,
the Supreme Court of Kenya ruled for a pay increase of 50 to 60 percent for
teachers. But the government says it doesn’t have the money, so the teachers’
unions went on strike from September 1st.
the Supreme Court of Kenya ruled for a pay increase of 50 to 60 percent for
teachers. But the government says it doesn’t have the money, so the teachers’
unions went on strike from September 1st.
Kenyan
public schools have been without teachers for the third week. Over 10 million
pupils in public primary and secondary schools have been affected during this
third term, which is considered crucial, especially for students who are about take
their national exams in October and November.
public schools have been without teachers for the third week. Over 10 million
pupils in public primary and secondary schools have been affected during this
third term, which is considered crucial, especially for students who are about take
their national exams in October and November.
The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) is a government-mandated
organization to manage teacher employment. It has been arguing that the pay increase for teachers is an extra KSh
17 billion (about USD 170, Million) on teacher’s wages every year which is not
affordable.
organization to manage teacher employment. It has been arguing that the pay increase for teachers is an extra KSh
17 billion (about USD 170, Million) on teacher’s wages every year which is not
affordable.
TSC Chair
Dr. Lydia Nzomo announced at a press conference on September 14 that the strike
is illegal and threatened not to pay the teachers for the three weeks they have
not worked.
Dr. Lydia Nzomo announced at a press conference on September 14 that the strike
is illegal and threatened not to pay the teachers for the three weeks they have
not worked.
However, the
Kenya National Union of Teachers KNUT has maintained a hardline stand and vowed
to continue with the strike until their demands are met. The KNUT secretary general, Wilson Sossion maintained that teachers would
not return to their posts if the government fails to implement the salary
increment.
Kenya National Union of Teachers KNUT has maintained a hardline stand and vowed
to continue with the strike until their demands are met. The KNUT secretary general, Wilson Sossion maintained that teachers would
not return to their posts if the government fails to implement the salary
increment.
The 50-60%
pay rise was awarded by the industrial court in June in a move that saw the
Teachers Service Commission go to the appeal court to object to the orders. The
Appeals court again upheld the ruling, forcing the TSC to take the matter to
the Supreme Court which again upheld the Appeals court decision and distanced
itself from the case.
pay rise was awarded by the industrial court in June in a move that saw the
Teachers Service Commission go to the appeal court to object to the orders. The
Appeals court again upheld the ruling, forcing the TSC to take the matter to
the Supreme Court which again upheld the Appeals court decision and distanced
itself from the case.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online
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