Teachers have demanded a risk allowance that will protect them from working in risky conditions such as indisciplined students and handling dangerous laboratory chemicals.
Jonah Korir Chairman Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Kericho County, said that the profession had become risky due to the rise of unruly students.
"The cases of indiscipline among students is alarming. There are many cases where students can pick up machetes and axes and attack teachers. That is why teachers must get a risk allowance," said Korir.
"We want a risk allowance so that in case a teacher is affected in any way, their dependents will not suffer," said Korir.
Mary Rotich, the branch executive secretary, brought up the issue of teacher’s medical cover insisting that members from the branch prefer to be covered by National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
"There is a lot of bureaucracy in the private medical cover. We've heard of many instances where an ailing teacher has been left stranded at the hospital. We demand another medical cover until the one we have is streamlined,” she said.
Speaking in Nakuru County, KNUT Secretary-General Wilson Sossion faulted Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for delaying the negotiation talks with the teachers union for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2021-2023 period.
“Teachers want a properly negotiated CBA which is fully implemented effective July 1. We demand immediate commencement of the negotiations,” said Sossion.
Clement Gicharu, KNUT Assistant Secretary-General said that the union will continue to fight for their members to ensure teachers are earning salaries that they deserve.
“We shall not cease to push for what teachers in the classrooms deserve as compensation for their work,” said Gicharu.
Sossion adressed the press after a closed-door meeting held at Golden Palace Hotel that nearly came to a premature end after the attendees turned rowdy.
"It was all about union politics and its leadership. A member made remarks that angered the delegates. We however resolved the matter and continued with the meeting," said a delegate who sought anonymity.
The new CBA proposal was presented in 2020 by both the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET).
