by Mersia Aloo
Nairobi, Kenya — In a significant development for the education sector, Akelo Misori, the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), has emphasized the urgent need to review the progress in education amid various challenges facing teachers and students. This announcement comes on the heels of the union calling off a planned strike scheduled for September 2nd, following negotiations aimed at improving the welfare of teachers.
During a press briefing, Misori outlined several key issues that KUPPET plans to address, particularly the demand for fair compensation for the thousands of teachers involved in managing national examinations. The union is advocating for an increase in the pay for exam invigilators from KSh 400 to KSh 3,000, calling for the cooperation of the National Examination Council in this regard.
The leadership of KUPPET has also been mandated to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the period of 2024/2025, which is expected to encompass broader aspects of teachers’ welfare. Notably, KUPPET is seeking to meet with President William Ruto to discuss the employment of approximately 40,000 teachers to address the growing need for educators in the wake of the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Misori raised concerns about the current domicile situation for Grade 9 students following the implementation of CBC, noting that students are being placed in secondary schools without adequate infrastructure to support their learning. He urged the Ministry of Education to reconsider its approach and to domicile Grade 9 students in secondary schools that are appropriately equipped.
Additionally, Misori highlighted the financial implications of employing teachers for Grade 9, which could necessitate an estimated KSh 30 billion budget—an expense that he deemed excessive under the current circumstances.
In a separate statement, KUPPET’s Vice Chair, Amboko Milemba, underscored the need for the Ministry of Education to phase out boarding schools, arguing that the current framework of the CBC is not conducive to student wellbeing. He further recommended that the current bursary systems be consolidated, rather than allocated to Members of Parliament, Senators, and Governors, suggesting an overhaul that prioritizes the needs of students.
Milemba also called for risk allowances and commuting allowances for science teachers, acknowledging the unique challenges they face in their roles.
As KUPPET prepares for upcoming negotiations, the focus remains on creating a sustainable and equitable education system that not only supports teachers but also enhances the learning experience for students across Kenya.
The union is hopeful that continued dialogue with the government will lead to tangible improvements in the education sector, aligning with the aspirations of both educators and students alike.