In Light of Education Reforms, KNUT Demands a 60% Salary Increase
In Light of Education Reforms, KNUT Demands a 60% Salary Increase. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has requested that teachers receive a large 60% pay hike. At the Mombasa KNUT annual general meeting, the choice was made.
As teachers get ready for the implementation of the new Competency Based Curriculum and the enrollment of grade 8 children the next year, the KNUT National Chairman, Patrick Karinga Munuhe, stressed that they already have a difficult task, but that it would only get worse.
The proposed revisions aim to create a complete educational system from Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) to grade 9.
In light of these changes, KNUT proposes that TSC reevaluate the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for 2021–2025 and approve a 60% salary rise to reflect the increasing responsibilities placed on teachers.
Collins Oyuu, the secretary general of the KNUT, has previously advocated for a review of the CBA 2021–2025.
The union gave the commission seven days’ notice that a meeting will be convened to talk about this matter.
Munuhe stated that a meeting had been scheduled and that they had communicated with TSC. The meeting had to be postponed due to the opposition’s plans for significant protests.
In addition, it was questioned whether TSC ought to hire 20,000 fresh teacher interns. According to Munuhe, TSC should have given priority to hiring the interns from the previous year on a full-time, pensionable basis rather than hiring new interns.
In Light of Education Reforms, KNUT Demands a 60% Salary Increase
According to labour laws, TSC cannot go longer than six months without permanently appointing interns.
The Teacher Internship Programme aims to educate and develop the skills of people starting out in the teaching profession.
Interns in primary schools receive a monthly pay of Ksh 15,000; those at junior secondary schools (JSS) receive a monthly stipend of Ksh 20,000.
In addition, Munuhe criticised the closure of public schools in Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kisumu Counties as a result of protests and urged the government to ensure the security of teachers and pupils.
He urged the administration and the opposition to reach a peaceful resolution in order to avoid interfering with children’s education.