The Kenyan government has released KES 13.5 billion to address salary arrears for public school teachers, in a bid to resolve an ongoing strike and ensure the smooth resumption of third-term learning. The payment is part of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and is expected to cover salary increments for July and August by the end of this week, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba.
The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to addressing the teachers’ grievances, which have disrupted schooling in parts of the country. Negotiations with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) are ongoing, following the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) decision to end its strike after productive discussions with the government.
“As part of implementing the 2021-2025 CBA, the national treasury has released KES 13.5 billion to ensure that public school teachers receive their July and August salary arrears by Friday,” stated CS Ogamba, during the 54th International Conference of the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) at Lake Naivasha Resort.
Despite the ongoing impasse with KUPPET, CS Ogamba assured parents that the government is working diligently to resolve all outstanding issues, including unpaid salaries and promotions, to avoid further disruptions. The strike, however, has not deterred students from returning to school, particularly after KNUT’s strike was called off.
In addition to the salary payments, the government has announced plans to address the teacher shortage by fully employing 20,000 intern teachers currently serving in Junior Secondary Schools by the end of the year. Ogamba further revealed efforts to secure additional funding to hire 46,000 more intern teachers.
The Education CS also distributed appointment letters to 2,000 new trainers, who will be deployed to 242 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the country. With over 7,000 TVET trainers currently employed, the additional staff is expected to alleviate the acute shortage, as the country requires more than 15,000 trainers.
Meanwhile, Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for TVET, announced the rollout of the Recognition of Prior Learning program, aimed at certifying informally trained Jua Kali workers. The program has already certified over 700 individuals, enhancing their prospects for formal employment.
