Government Promises KSh 13.5b for Teachers to Settle Salary Arrears, Leaving Them Out of KUPPET

• The government said that all public school teachers will be paid their two-month salary increase by Friday
• Education Minister Julius Ogamba revealed that the announcement followed the release of KSh 13.5 billion and the implementation of the 2024-2025 CBA
• Ogamba also said the government is working around the clock to ensure that 20,000 more teachers are employed by January 2025

The Minister of Education Julius Ogamba Migos has announced that the government plans to pay the July and August salary increase to all public school teachers by Friday, August 30, amid protests across the country.

This follows the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the release of KSh 13.5 billion by the National Treasury.

“To show its goodwill and commitment to address the concerns of teachers, the Teachers Recruitment Commission has been working hard to ensure that all public school teachers receive their July and August salary increases by this Friday,” Ogamba said in a Citizen Digital report.

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Bungoma: Teachers Chain The School Gates To Mark The Start Of Their Strike

Despite schools opening for the third term on Monday, August 26, secondary schools were hit by low student turnout due to the ongoing strike by the Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

In contrast, the National Association of Teachers Kenya (KNUT) called off their strike on Sunday, August 25, after successful negotiations with the government.

The government will hire 20,000 teachers in January

Ogamba expressed his hope about addressing all the teachers' problems, including converting 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to permanent and pensionable status.

Additionally, he announced plans to hire 20,000 more teachers by January 2025 to ease the burden on public schools.

“We are confident that these negotiations will lead to the KUPPET members returning to work, given that the government has fully implemented the second phase of the CBA and that other administrative issues are being handled by the government through friendship, order and consultation,” he noted.

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Bungoma teachers close the school gates as they start their strike

Augustine Luketelo, general secretary of KUPPET branch Bungomaled in ensuring that teachers follow the order of the union.

After closing the doors at Bungoma High School, Luketelo insisted that teachers should not be treated as slaves and stressed that the government has enough money.

He called on teachers to stay away from school and advised parents to keep their children at home until their needs are addressed.

What else do you need to know about the teachers' strike?

• Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alfred Mutua urged the teachers' unions to embrace negotiations
• TUKO.co.ke discussed the challenges facing the education sector with Julius Ogambo taking his leadership
• Editing by Asher Omondi, current affairs reporter and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke