“We will not go back to school.” Kisii KUPPET Teachers Protest to Demand Government Action on CBA .JSS teachers and Insurance

KUPPET Teachers Protest to Demand Government Action on CBA .JSS teachers and Insurance

Teachers in Kisii, under the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have taken to the streets to protest against what they term as the government’s failure to address their long-standing grievances. The demonstration, led by Kisii KUPPET Chair Laban Ouko and Secretary General Abincha, saw teachers from various secondary schools in the region march through the streets, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding justice and fair treatment.

At the heart of the teachers’ demands is the insistence that the government honors the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that was signed but has yet to be implemented in full. “We have waited long enough. The government must respect the agreements it has made with us. Our patience has run out,” said Laban Ouko during the protest.

A section of Animated teachers from KUPPET Kisii branch matching through the streets of Kisii town, Demanding the government’s listening ear. Photo | Orenge Wycliff

Another major issue is the confusion and redundancy in the health insurance covers provided to teachers. The teachers are calling for the government to dismiss one of the health insurance covers, either AON or NHIF, arguing that having both is unnecessary and causes delays and inefficiencies in accessing medical services. “It’s frustrating to deal with two different insurance covers that often overlap in services. The government must streamline this process for the welfare of all teachers,” added Secretary General Abincha.

The teachers are also demanding the immediate payment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, who they claim have not been paid since their deployment. This, they argue, has caused unnecessary hardship and demoralization among teachers, impacting the quality of education.

The strike, which began today, has seen a massive turnout, with teachers pledging to continue their industrial action until their demands are met. They have also called on parents not to send their children to school, stating that no meaningful learning will occur until the government addresses their issues.

This protest in Kisii mirrors a growing unrest among teachers across the country, who feel neglected and underappreciated by the government. As the strike continues, all eyes will be on the government to see if it will heed the teachers’ call and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis. The teachers have made it clear that they are prepared for a prolonged strike if their demands are not addressed, signaling a potentially turbulent period ahead for the education sector in Kenya.

A section of Animated teachers from KUPPET Kisii branch matching through the streets of Kisii town, Demanding the government’s listening ear. Photo | Orenge Wycliff

Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation.

Kisii KUPPET, Teachers Strike, CBA, Health Insurance, AON, NHIF, JSS Teachers, Kenya Education, Government Negotiations, Teacher Protests