The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Teachers Commission (TSC) to withdraw the show-cause letters issued to trainee secondary school teachers (JSS).
The above teachers received letters for participating in the protest that took place across the country.
Kuppet General Secretary Akelo Misori said the affected JSS teachers should now resume classes by Monday as the show cause letters have been cancelled.
Mosori stressed that all previously issued cover letters and notices to leave for teachers will be withdrawn immediately.
He also promised to restore the normal state of JSS institutions by Monday, June 3, 2024.
Secretary KUPPET also highlighted the efforts of the union’s National Executive Board (NEB) to facilitate a return-to-work plan for JSS teachers who have boycotted classes for more than two weeks.
Experienced teachers demanded permanent and pensionable employment.
Misori further insisted on the mandate given to the NEB during the NGC meeting on 29 May 2024 to prevent any counterproductive action against the JSS teachers and thereby condemn the issuance of letters by the TSC.
The KUPPET trade union strongly supports the teachers’ demand for permanent and retired employment based on the decision of the Employment and Labor Relations Court (ELRC).
The court found their internship conditions illegal and unconstitutional.
Misori further emphasized that penalizing teachers for engaging in legitimate work activities would undermine the stability of the sector, a system that is essential to a competency-based curriculum.
Misori also commended the efforts of the NEB in pushing for Parliament to allocate Sh8.3 billion for the conversion of 26,000 in-service teachers hired in January 2023 to permanent and retiring in July 2024.
In addition, Misori also called for the Sh4.68 billion allocated for new recruitment to be strictly used for permanent and retirement employment, with additional funds required to convert the second cohort of teachers recruited in September 2023.
The NGC, which revisited the issue of JSS housing in primary schools, also highlighted the lack of necessary resources such as teachers and infrastructure including laboratories and libraries.
Through this, Misori urged the government to relocate JSS to existing secondary schools so that students acquire basic practical knowledge, especially in the areas of science teaching.
