Teachers unions urge Parliament to reconvene over pay dispute

Teachers’ union Kuppet has petitioned Parliament to reconvene and debate the ongoing national teachers strike that has brought learning in public schools to a halt.

The Kenya National Examination Council is on Friday expected to announce this year’s national examinations timetable, arousing mixed reactions from leaders who want the exams postponed.

Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori and Chair Omboko Milemba are adamant that teachers will continue striking as they wait for the September 25th court ruling on the legality of the industrial action.

While Addressing the media on Thursday, Omboko Milemba also rubbished threats by their employer, the Teachers Cervice commission, of summary dismissal if they refuse to resume duty by Friday.

As the strike continues to bite in public schools for the third week running, a section of teachers’ union leaders now want the examinations pushed to a later date, preferably next year, to attract better student performances.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had said teachers who continue with the illegal strike will not get any pay despite calls by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) for the teachers to stay put.

TSC boss announced that all teachers who will not have resumed duty by Friday will be considered as having deserted duty and will therefore be struck off the payroll.

By Reuben wanyama.