Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has termed the 65% pay rise demands for teachers as unrealistic.
Ezekiel Machogu on Wednesday said teachers must keep in mind that the country’s economy is between the rock and hard place.
“I am informed that you have already raised concerns about inflation and your CBA 2021 to 2025, which did not have a monetary component. I call upon your leaders to be realistic in reading the signs of the day, consult widely and ensure that all deliberations have the learners’ interests at heart. I’m sure we will reach an agreement and move on as a country,” said the CS.
The CS brushed off teachers demands in a speech read by Nyanza regional in-charge of Education Nelson Sifuna during the 62nd Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) conference in Kisumu.
Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated they will meet with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and deliver a proposal they have agreed upon for a 60% salary increase for teachers across the board on Tuesday when speaking to the media.
The union noted that whereas school heads and their deputies benefited greatly in the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which covered the years 2017 through 2021, this time around they are pressing for consideration of all teachers.
Knut’s demands include delocalization, a revision of the educational curriculum, and the creation of a teachers’ appeals tribunal to handle disciplinary matters.