Summery

• The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has released a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• TSC forwarded the new CBA to the Salaries Renunciation Commission (SRC)
• The CBA proposes 16 per cent salary increase for teachers in grade C4 to D5.

Teachers in Grade C4 to D5 will benefit from a 16 per cent increase in their basic salary in the new proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by the employer.

Grade B5 to C3 will gain a 32 per cent basic salary increment should the new CBA be implemented as proposed by the TSC.

The 2021 to 2025 CBA also recommends an increment of up to 20 per cent in house allowance, commuter allowance, leave allowance.

This implies that the senior chief principals are to earn between Ksh131,380 and Ksh157,656. The deputy principals who fall between job group D1 to Grade D3 will range between Ksh77,840 and klKsh125,573.

The Commission already forwarded the CBA to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). TSC argues that the scheme is a thorough analysis of representatives of the two unions, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

The two unions are said to have met late last year and made submissions of the new CBA. KNUT had requested for pay rise between 120 per cent to 200 per cent. KUPPET proposed a salary increment of between 30 to 70 per cent.

KNUT has already contested the increment through a letter ti to the SRC. Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion accused the TSC of forwarding a summary of their proposal the union made.

“Sneaking proposals to SRC in such a manner shall only serve to provoke the teaching service… We write to bring to your attention the anomalies and ask that you Require Teachers Service Commission to, first of all, comply with the law prior to forwarding the said proposals. ” Read part of the letter by Wilson Sossion.

But the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has once again rattled KNUT in its response. SRC secretary Ann Gitau wrote to Sossion.

” The SRC has taken note of the raised and observed that they are administrative in nature and should therefore be addressed by TSC and KNUT. Consequently, SRC guides that KNUT engages TSC as the employer and amicably address the matter.” Read part if SRC response to Knut SG.

The move has forcibly forced KNUT to the drawing board days after the National Assembly speaker Justin Muturiruled that matters with regard to TSC and Knut should not be discussed by the departmental committee on Education in Parliament until the case in court has been solved.

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Summery

• KNUT has a regular salary of Sh80 and a running budget of over Sh100 million every month.
• KNUT pocketed Sh54 million in July, Sh34 million in August and 32 million in September.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers, Knut is threatening to take legal action against the Teachers Service Commission for purposely stifling it by deregistering its affiliates.

The latest statistics from the TSC reveals that the union has lost its membership to 34,312 from 187,471 in the last 15 months. The former giant union used to pocket at least Sh144 million union dues every month, but in October, the union just got meagre of Sh25 million.

 KNUT Secretary-General Hon. Wilson Sossion on Saturday stated that the union is incapable of running its operations and has been compelled to shut down some of its branch offices as they cannot afford rent.

ADC dropped

Mr Sossion announced that KNUT is incapable of holding branch elections and may not continue with the yearly delegates conference in December as they normally do, due to incapacity to financial constraints.

“The annual budget for the ADC is approximately Sh200 million, which the union saves over time. What can we do with Sh 25 million? It cannot even meet our payroll budget." Sossion said.

The union has a payroll of Sh80 and an operating budget of over Sh100 million every month. But Sossion says that they will have to take legal action against the Teachers' employer, TSC for disobeying a court order.

It has been revealed that TSC failed to release KNUT's union dues in July, August and December 2019, but released Ksh83 million in September and Ksh81 million in November.

Once-giant union

Funds forwarded to KNUT this year have been declining month after month. For instance, in January, the KNUT pocketed Ksh75 million, in Feb Ksh67 million, in March Ksh66 million, in April Ksh64 million, in May Ksh62 million, June Ksh59 million, in July, Ksh54 million, in August Ksh34 million and in Sep Ksh32 million.

With the prevailing trend, the KNUT could lose all its membership. Coast region National Executive Council Dan Aloo, announced that Knut staff are discouraged.

“Branches are unable to pay rent, electricity, water and meet other operational costs. We now need President Uhuru Kenyatta’s help to mediate the union and the TSC,” said Mr Aloo.

Makueni Knut branch executive secretary Benson Ndambuki stated that staff is having financial difficulties due to the cold war between the KNUT and TSC. “Some of our staff had taken loans, but now, due to the TSC’s failure to remit union dues, some are being auctioned,” said Mr Ndambuki.

Hon Sossion maintained that the digital program introduced by the employer for teachers to join or withdraw union membership is unlawful and is being applied to compel Knut members to quit the union with the hope of promotions.

“Stifling of the union is geared at ensuring that operations are crippled. Right now the union is united and we are not going to relent. No employer can fight a union and win. So far, of all the cases taken to court by the employer, Knut won.” Sossion said.

The conflict between TSC and Knut has exploded in the last two years following the disagreement on the implementation of career development guidelines, promotion of teachers, rolling out of the new competency-based curriculum, delocalisation of teachers and the implementation of the 2016-2021 CBA.

The hostilities ended up in court battles, denying and delaying of Knut dues by TSC, deregistration of Knut SG Wilson Sossion as from the teachers' book, and also cut links of TSC with Knut. Sossion stated that the employer should use the Code of Regulations, the TSC Act and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) when dealing with teachers.

“Knut has membership and leadership all over Kenya. We are united and loyal to the union but shocked at the actions by the employer to bring down the union,” said Sossion.

The employer and the union conflict have led to the decrease of KNUT membership, as other unions such as KUPPET, KUSNET and KEWOTA continues to grow its membership.

Maridadi High School in Trans Nzoia County has reported a Covid-19 case. The student who contracted the virus is currently receiving treatment at the Maridadi Dispensary.

The school has also been disinfectant to ensure the safety of other learners. “We have put measures under the Ministry of Health protocols, by good luck the student is doing good.”Claire Wanyama, CEC Trans-Nzoia County said.

Two students from Kolanya Boys High school in Teso also reported Covid-19 positive case as one other student from Chemilil Academy joined the list of infected students by Friday night.

So far 30 students, 33 teachers and 7 non-teaching staff have tested positive for Covid-19. However, the number could be possibly higher as more testing is done.

The surging number is already forcing some institutions to review their reopening plans. The Kenya Medical Training College, which was scheduled to reopen for final year students on Monday next week, postponed the reopening.

The college is also set to hold its 88th Graduation Ceremony on December third virtually. Meanwhile, the Kenya Private Schools Association (KEPSA) wants the government to expertise Ksh7,000,000,000 loan to manage their school expenses.

“The income we are getting from Grade 4 and class 8 pupils cannot sustain fully the operations of our school institutions. And therefore without any other support from any quarter, it would be very difficult for any private school to operate. This is a challenge that we must all address.” A KPSA official stated.

At least 10 students from Maranda High School in Siaya County have tested positive for COVID-19. The Ministry of Health had begun targeted testing at the school after a form 4 student reportedly tested positive.

Kamusinga High School and Kimilili Boys Secondary school also reported 17 covid-19 cases. Despite the spike of infections, Education Cabinet Secretary Magoha says schools will remain open.

“We did another sample of 28 a few have been found positive, others are negative.” Edwin Maramba, the principal at Maranda High School said. The students have been put under isolation to curb the spreading of the virus.

“We want to assure parents that there is no cause for alarm. Students in Maranda are safe because they are observing protocols as advised.” Maramba said.

With the increasing number of cases, Magoha has maintained that the government will not recall students who have resumed learning.

Talks on the full reopening of schools are ongoing between the ministry of health and Education.

Speaking at Kereri Girls High School in Kisii County, the CS admitted that the government is facing challenges in maintaining social and physical distance in schools even as he embarks on securing and distributing more desks in public schools.

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The Ministries of Education and Health are in advanced conversations over the mass resumption of schools learning amidst the rising spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministries argue that should students stay longer at home, learners will be most affected.

However, staffs in the Health Ministry have hinted at a reopening of schools based on new data following cancellation of an earlier reopening program introduced by the Education Ministry.

CS Magoha, on Thursday, November 29 revealed that stakeholders in the two ministries will continue with their meeting with a definite outcome either Monday, November 2 or Tuesday, November 3. A definitive conclusion on the resumption of education for all other classes will be presented on 4th, Wednesday, November.

Health Acting Director-General Patrick Amoth stated that the new data indicated that children between the age of 10 and 19 years have the mildest form of Coronavirus and are unlikely to spread it as highly as was initially thought.

The Ministry is disturbed that the prolonged mass resuming of schools will harm the transitioning of learners particularly for Grade 5 and Form 1 student under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

“Students will be safe in schools and will also grow to achieve their full potential for the economic development of the country. If Covid persists for five more years, are we going to close schools? No, we can come up with more measures to protect our students,” Amoth added.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to attend the meeting to approve the determination made and submit his way forward.

Kenya is also observing up other African nations which have thoroughly reopened schools. The Ministry of Education only approved Grade 4, Form 4 and Class, 8 students, to reopen as they prepare for the national exams.

This comes 2 days after High Court judge Justice John Makau directed that he will determine whether learning institutions will reopen or not following a parent case in which Magoha was sued on the matter.

The parent claims that Magoha’s decisions to hesitate the re-opening of schools were not satisfactory as he continues changing his stand on the matter.

Magoha has constantly stated that schools will remain open despite the country encountering a 2nd wave of coronavirus. He also urged school heads from recalling all other students to school minus directive from the Education Ministry.

Anxiety has hit Soliat village in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County following a body discovery of a 10-year-old Grade 3 boy was dumped at a maize plantation.

The boy who was sent by his mother to collect firewood earlier in the day failed to home after several hours. A quest party comprising more than two hundred villagers searched the area, only to find the minor’s body at about 9 pm on Thursday.

Statements say the pupil was attacked and defiled at around 4 and 7 pm on Thursday 29th of October before his body was found in a sack. According to Soliat Village Elder, Mr Samuel Langat said the minor’s body had been tied up all over by the attacker.

The minor’s Albert Kurgat stated his child did not return home after leaving the house to collect firewood in a nearby bush.

After raising an alert, over 200 villagers gathered at the residence and started the frantic search. Policemen from Kuresoi Police Station arrived at 3 am and drove the body to the Molo Hospital Morgue.

Leah Chelagat Kulei, a teacher from Olmarai High School in Mogotio, Baringo County has succumbed to coronavirus a few days after the death of Tononoka Secondary School Principal.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, KUPPET has for that reason sound a warning urging the government to close all schools for the sake of the children’s well being.

“My concern is to the government, how many teachers should lose their lives? how many teachers should be confirmed coronavirus positive so that the government can respond? the Kuppet official asked.

17 students from two Friends School Kamusinga High School and Kimilili Boys secondary School were yesterday confirmed to have contracted the virus. Currently, more than 50 teachers, students and non-teaching staff have contracted the virus since schools were reopened this month.

“My main concern is; does the government have any concern for the teacher? I’m urging the government in the strongest terms possible to know that our lives are at stake,” a KUPPET official in Baringo county stated.

Japhet Kirui, a teacher from Kabarnet High School agreed with the official’s terms stating that the covid-19 state in school was worsened following a number of teachers and students contracting the disease.

Japhet requested the government to close schools noting that the state was gambling with teacher’s lives.

“We are telling the government, kindly take our lives seriously, aside from the BBI politics, take the lives of Kenyans seriously. Let you not be that CS to go down in history as one who took a generation of a whole country down because of recklessness and carelessness,” the principal stated.

Education PS Belio Kipsang refuted any plans of reclosing schools due to the pandemic. However, Education CS Magoha said reopening of the rest of learners might take longer than expected.

“We are not about to close schools unless advised by the Ministry of Health, but we are putting our heads together to work our modalities of reopening other classes,” Kipsang affirmed.

The Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe also said that stated closure of schools would be viewed at on a case by case basis.

“Instead of closing the entire school fraternity, you close the school that has been affected. That instead of closing the eateries, you close the ones that are not following the rules so that we can still be able to salvage the economy,” he said.

17 students in two schools in Bungoma County have contracted the covid-19 virus. Kimilili Boys’ High School and Friends School Kamusinga are among the latest victims of the coronavirus pandemic that has denied a lot of learners their right to education.

Friends School Kamusinga Boys returned positive results for 11 students while Kimili Boys High School confirmed another 6 cases by Thursday morning leading to their isolation in Webuye.

A teacher from Kamusinga who sought anonymity revealed that tension was rising in the school due to fears that more teachers and students could have contracted the virus adding that the school might be shut down for fumigation.

“Many parents have been calling while others have been here to check on their children; we are doing our best to ensure students don’t flout ministry of health directives on social distancing, sanitising, wearing masks and washing hands regularly,” the teacher told the Nation.

Dr Simon Kisaka who is the Webuye county hospital medical superintendent disclosed that a sum of 28 patients are currently at the facility and the students are isolated at the Webuye County Hospital.

Schools not adhering to COVID-19 protocols

Dr Kisaka stated that the rising of infection cases is a clear implication that the majority of schools are not ready to comply with the ministry of health protocols in fighting the virus. He added that this rate, the government might be compelled to shut down schools for the safety of teachers and learners.

Fears have also emerged that 4 nurses and two senior Bungoma County Referral Hospital doctors are receiving treatment at home after testing positive for Covid-19. Dr Patrick Wandili who is a health chief officer in Bungoma noted that the medics are out of danger.

Mr Wandili asked medics to be more careful while on service as they are in the front line in the fight against COVID-19. Bungoma county referral hospital has ten Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. A spike in covid-19 cases has forced the executive and the Assembly to halt their normal operations.

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A family in Eastlands, Kariobangi North is urging the government to assist them to find their 13-year old daughter who mysteriously disappeared 3 months ago in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) as a family made travel plans.

Joseph Koko father to the missing girls told CITIZEN TV that he suspects her daughter could have been kidnapped. Her daughter Monica Atieno was currently a class 7 pupil at Okore Ogonda Primary School in Homa Bay county.

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The father believes that her daughter's disappearance could have been orchestrated by unknown people who have been trailing her for the last one year. He says his daughter was disciplined ha he could not walk away without informing him.

What is even suspicious is that unknown people have been calling her teachers at school requesting to know whether the daughter was learning at the institution. 

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The teachers informed Koko who once witnessed a person following his daughter keenly while in the library. He followed the stalker and asked why he was following his daughter but the stalker denied Koko's claims.

The matter was reported at the Central Police Station and is now under police investigation. Central OCPD Mark Wanjala says they are probing whether the disappearance has to do with a family dispute.

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Koko is now appealing for anyone who could have information relating to his daughter whereabouts to share the information with the police. Koko has been a single father to the girl since she was 2 years old.

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The physical reopening of learning is now in doubt following the sharp spike in coronavirus across the country. Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha was not commital on whether schools will resume earlier next month as planned.

Concerns are melting in the education sector as statistics indicates that there are surging deaths and infections of learners, teachers and non-teaching staffs.

Leah Kulei a tutor at Olmarai Secondary School in Baringo County and she died of COVID-19 at a Nakuru Hospital. She is now among the latest victim of a pandemic that has ravaged the country’s education sector.

Ministry of Education statistics indicates that 33 teachers, 18 students and 7 non-teaching staff have been confirmed to have contracted the virus. Some say this number could be conservative.

The government is seemingly at a crossroad over the resumption of physical learning in school. Education CS now says that it is the safety of learners that will inform the next step.

The government has however dismissed talk of the possible closure of learning institutions due to COVID-19 and instead, has asked learners to prepare for national examinations.

With many parents voicing concerns over the safety of their children, both the Health and Education ministries have come out strongly to give an assurance that stakeholders meeting will soon clear the air over the matter.

If everything had gone to plan after the resumption of classes for grade 4, standard 8 and form 4 learners on October 12th, Grade 5,6,7, Form 2 and 3 would have joined after 2 weeks on 26th of October this month as Grade 1,2,3 and form 1 would have reopened on 1st of November.

However, the virus has taken the government back to the drawing board. What looms now is if physical learning for other classes is suspended, there will emerge a clash in the transition of classes, For instance, class 5 and form 1.

As the pandemic continues to strike harder, some private schools have been forced to pay the price with about 219 of them being kicked out of business due to harsh COVID-19 environment. About 55,000 learners have been left stranded.

If the situation persists, most schools may be forced to follow suit.