Head teachers and deputy head teachers can now join the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and contest for leadership positions across its branches following the review of the union’s recognition agreement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Knut secretary general Collins Oyuu told the union’s 65th Annual Delegates Conference that the reviews were made possible during a retreat in Naivasha with the TSC.
The 2021 Recognition Agreement signed between the Knut and TSC included a clause that institutional administrators, specifically head teachers and those acting in that capacity, shall not be members of the union.
This exclusion from recognition as union members under the 2021 agreement, in turn, affected their ability to participate in union governance, since holding union office requires valid membership
“As we speak today from our sitting in Naivasha some two days ago, where we cleared the gray areas, head teachers and deputy head teachers shall remain to be members of the Union and are allowed to contest positions to lead in the 110 branches,” said Mr Oyuu.
The 2021 Recognition Agreement was part of a wider set of negotiations between TSC and teacher unions, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and it also included other controversial clauses, such as reducing the number of union branches nationwide.
Under the agreement, the Knut was required to have reduced its branches from 110 to 47 by the year 2026.
“Allow me to pronounce here that we cleared the gray areas and today Knut will remain with 110 branches across the country,” he said.
In 2020, ahead of the 2021 Knut elections, union membership had declined sharply from about 189,000 to 9,600. This drastic drop prompted the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), in accordance with the law governing union recognition, to issue Knut with a notice revoking its recognition agreement. Under the law, a union must command the support of at least 50 per cent plus one of the entire teaching workforce to retain a recognition agreement.
Mr Oyuu noted that the sad situation the Union was in at the time was simply because there was no mutual understanding between the employer and the union. But things have since improved, and the Knut and TSC enjoy a cordial relationship.
“We want to thank the TSC for leasing with the leadership of the Union from 2021 so that as we speak now, the membership has grown and we are almost hitting 170,000,” he noted.
In September, some 3,000 Knut officials were among 10,000 teachers hosted at State House at a meeting dubbed ‘Walimu Na Rais’ where they shared their grievances with the Executive with the aim of fostering better working relations.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok, who graced the delegates’ conference, noted that some of the concerns and requests to the President were addressed immediately, while for others he gave a firm directive to effect.
“I am happy to report there is impressive progress on the implementation of all directives that the President gave on that day. It’s important to note also that some of the recommendations are work in progress,” he said.
Mr Oyuu noted that following the meeting at State House, teachers were honoured with additional funding for the promotion of teachers.
“In the next financial year there will be an increase of allocation in the National Budget for the promotion of teachers from Sh1billion to Sh2 billion to cater for promotion of 50,000 teachers annually up from the current 25,000 teachers,” he said.
The President instructed the TSC to review the CBA implementation period to either 2 or 3 years and review the career progression guidelines (CPG), which have caused stagnation of teachers.
Another win for the teachers was the employment of teachers who are 45 years and above under affirmative action.
The President also directed the Ministry of Education to ensure the timely release of capitation in full at the tabulated ratio as well as review the Primary School Capitation to conform with the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).
