Latest News on Monday Teachers’ strike: Pay talks between TSC and teachers Unions collapse

Latest News on Monday Teachers’ Strike: Pay talks that were to take place between TSC and two teachers’ unions- KNUT and KUPPET collapsed on Saturday. Officials from KNUT boycotted the talks while those from KUPPET stormed out of the meeting when they could not agree with TSC officials.

The meeting was eagerly awaited and it was meant to discuss a new pay package between the teachers’ unions and the Teachers Service Commission. Teachers, parents and students had hoped the meeting would clear the stalemate about the planned strike. But just like many others before, this one did not bear any fruit

On its side, TSC said that no meeting took place for lack of quorum which was occasioned by KNUT’s non attendance. The officials from KNUT who failed to attend the meeting were holed up in their offices for the better part of Saturday and even called off a briefing they had promised the media

The teachers want a 200% pay rise and an allowance given to all heads of schools and their deputies.

Another meeting between the teachers‘ unions and TSC is expected to take place on Friday but its still not known what will be tabled and if the unions’ officials will attend.

On the planned Monday 5th strike, education CS Jacob Kaimenyi has said that teachers who fail to attend class will be dealt with accordingly. Kaimenyi said that he is the only person who has the power to open or close schools. He told all parents to take their children to school on Monday

The collapse of the talks between TSC and the two teachers unions continues to add confusion to the planned Monday strike with teachers maintaining that the strike is still on and the government saying that students and teachers should report to their respective schools on Monday.