Premium
Solve varsity unions’ Sh7.9bn pay standoff
There has been no learning in public universities for over a month due to a lecturers’ strike. Several times, there has been hope of breaking the deadlock in these citadels of higher learning, but the standoff persists.
Despite talks between the lecturers’ union and the representatives of the universities, an agreement remains elusive. Now, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has told the lecturers that the government is unable to pay the arrears owed to them at once and is willing to do so in two phases.
Mr Ogamba says the final offer made to the dons is to pay them 50 per cent of the Sh7.9 billion arrears this month and 50 per cent next July. He has explained that this is the best offer possible, amid budgetary constraints and other financial challenges.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) will hear none of this. It has rejected the release of Sh7.94 billion arrears in two instalments, insisting on full payment before resuming work. This has dashed any hope of learning resuming on the university campuses soon. The standoff is now in its seventh week.
According to CS Ogamba, this is a historical debt, and if the huge amount is taken from the Budget, other programmes will suffer as there are not enough resources. The cash-strapped government has made major spending cuts but still struggles to meet its requirements.
For the sake of the students, the lecturers should not remain too rigid. Fighting for better pay is their right, just like any other employees, but it certainly is not their core business, which is imparting knowledge to their students. First-years have been denied their crucial orientation. Money is essential, but it is not everything. They should also be ready to sacrifice and continue the fight another day.
The students have not done anything during this semester, and the government should be concerned about this. All the parties should fully commit themselves to seeking a speedy resolution of this dispute.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
