The signing of the deal during the ongoing annual secondary head teachers conference in Mombasa was witnessed by KNUT National Chairman Mudzo Nzili, Secretary General Wilson Sossion and TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 21 – The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) that seeks to resolve frequent teacher’s strikes.
The signing of the deal during the ongoing annual secondary head teachers conference in Mombasa was witnessed by KNUT National Chairman Mudzo Nzili, Secretary General Wilson Sossion and TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo.
According to the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, the 2013-2017 agreement aims at addressing salaries and allowances for teachers and restore discipline in the education sector.
“It has consolidated the gains made in the teaching service over the years especially from 2013 to date. It has provided a basis for future negotiations of CBAs between the parties,” she outlined.
She stated that the CBA formalises the obligation of the parties and union’s members to the adherence to the provisions of the Code of Regulations and the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers 2015 as the primary documents in the management of teachers.
“It has also provided for determinable terms and conditions of service for teachers and restated the role of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in the determination of remunerations payable to teachers in the public sector,” she stated.
She indicated that the document further has a provision for an enhanced evaluation of teachers with a view of improving the quality of teaching.
“It has also provided for the protection of the child and public property in case of an industrial action by the union. It has also re-affirmed the constitutional threshold of the need for consultation between the parties in matters affecting the teaching sector,” she said.
She pointed out that an enhanced alternative dispute resolution mechanism in grievance handling has been inserted in the CBA to ensure stability in the teaching service.
Sossion expressed satisfaction with the new CBA and assured teachers that it will address their concerns and end strikes to enable teachers to offer quality education.
About The Author
