The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has warned Junior Secondary Teachers (JSS) of the potential termination of their contracts over the country-wide demonstrations being staged by this section of teachers.
Speaking during a fundraiser on December 11, 2023, at Gagra Catholic Church, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated that the union would like the teachers to be absorbed under permanent and pensionable employment terms but the strikes are derailing progress.
Oyuu warned the JSS teachers that KUPPET would not save them if their contracts were cancelled.
While making his speech, Oyuu accused the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) of inciting the teachers.
Oyuu further accused KUPPET of facilitating and funding the rallies held by the JSS teachers.
In his statement, Oyuu pointed out that it is wrong for KUPPET to mislead the teachers into protesting.
Oyuu further stated that KNUT is committed to having an amicable discussion with the government through the Education Ministry.
The key agenda of the talks would be to discuss the techniques and procedures for the teachers’ absorption into a permanent and pensionable contract.
For the past 2 weeks, JSS teachers have staged demonstrations across the country.
The teachers have complained about the government’s failure to revise the terms of their contracts warning that they would not resume their workstations in January if their grievances are not addressed.
This comes four days after the Senate summoned the Teachers Services Commission (TSC) over alleged discrimination and the hiring of teachers on a contractual basis.
“The committee should explain whether these contract-employed teachers are eligible for employment by TSC on permanent and pensionable terms,” nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri stated during the session.
TSC had earlier announced that it would extend the JSS teachers’ contracts rather than put them into a permanent employment contract.