Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has urged Teachers Service Commission (TSC) boss Nancy Macharia to dialogue with striking teachers to resolve the ongoing stalemate that has disrupted learning.
Senator Khalwale supported Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba’s announcement that the government has allocated funds to permanently employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
"With Education CS Julius Ogamba announcing the release of Ksh18.7 billion for hiring intern teachers and Ksh13.5 billion for implementing the CBA on salary increments, we urge Nancy Macharia to set aside her pride and lead the TSC in negotiating with the striking teachers to swiftly establish a return-to-work formula," Khalwale stated.
His comments come as the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) remains steadfast in its decision to continue the industrial action, demanding the hiring of intern teachers and the full implementation of the CBA.
Did you read this?
The strike was briefly halted, and stakeholders were urged to resolve it peacefully. Meanwhile, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), which represents primarily primary school teachers, called off its planned strike, acknowledging the government and TSC's efforts to address their concerns.
The unions are pressing for the permanent employment of at least 46,000 intern teachers, the promotion of 132,000 teachers, and the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 CBA.
