Schools are now set to re-open on Monday for the third term. This is after the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) lifted the threat of a nationwide strike that was supposed to start on September 1 after stike talks with the teachers’ employer.
After hours of talksband negotiations yesterday, KNUT and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) finally agreed to form an eight-member team that would look into the issues that teachers had raised. This team was given until early October to submit its report to TSC and Knut.
“Their focus will be on the controversial teacher appraisal and performance contracting for heads of institutions, promotion of more than 30,000 teachers, delocalisation (transfers), among others.
Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion confirmed that the talks went on well and expressed confidence that the issues raised will be addressed amicably to avoid disruption of learning,” says a report that appeared in a local daily.
Further, TSC chief executive officer Nancy Macharia said in a statement that the meeting took place in an open, candid and cordial environment and addressed issues touching on promotion of teachers, career progression, teacher appraisal programme and transfers.
“After intensive deliberations, both parties agreed to hold a five-day retreat between September 30 and October 5 for an in-depth examination and consensus on all the emerging issues. In particular, matters relating to transfers, career progression and teachers’ professional development and appraisal programme will be addressed in a conclusive and comprehensive manner,” said Mrs Macharia.
She said that TSC was committed to finding an amicable settlement to issues affecting teachers in the course of their professional duties.
Mr Sossion confirmed that there would be no strike, saying that the move to call off the strike was to allow for dialogue.
“We will allow learners to report back to schools starting Monday and learning to continue as we address the issues raised,” he said. He added that the TSC had acknowledged that appraisal and delocalisation are not working. They also admitted that promotion of more than 30,000 teachers must be done and the schemes of services that were in place but replaced will be reinstated,” Mr Sossion said.
He said the team of eight will play a key role in originating policies in the right manner and ensuring that they are negotiated and agreed upon. The TSC also agreed to conduct transfer of teachers with a human face.
