The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have confirmed their intention to proceed with a planned strike, following unsuccessful negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

In a press conference on Wednesday, union officials announced that demonstrations will commence on Monday, August 26, after talks aimed at resolving issues surrounding the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) broke down.

The unions expressed dissatisfaction with the TSC’s proposal to implement only part of the 2021-2025 CBA. Key issues raised by the teachers include promotion, the hiring of additional staff, and increased government budget allocation for education.

The decision to strike follows a meeting convened by the TSC to address the grievances of KUPPET and KNUT. This was the first such meeting aimed at resolving the deadlock, which threatens to disrupt learning in public schools nationwide.

The meeting took place shortly after President William Ruto urged all relevant parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to prevent the impending crisis. "Treasury, TSC, and the teaching fraternity should sit together and look at the possibility of ensuring that we implement our commitment as government," President Ruto stated.

This development comes just weeks after the teachers' unions issued a strike notice demanding the resolution of several critical issues affecting educators. KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu outlined the unions' demands, which include the confirmation of all current intern teachers to permanent and pensionable positions effective July 1, 2024, and the payment of outstanding salaries.

“The unions demand immediate confirmation of all current intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms and the remittance of their full salaries for the month, which are now arrears,” Oyuu added.