Junior secondary teachers protest for permanent terms and increased salaries.
Junior secondary school teachers in Makueni and Nakuru County staged protests in the streets to call for increased compensation and permanent employment.
2,419 teachers from 11 sub-counties in Nakuru joined the protests and made a commitment to hold off on going back to class until their demands were satisfied. They want the interns’ confirmation as well as payment for the duration of the internship.
Court ruling
These educators are determined that the recent court decision declaring internship teaching employment unlawful must be followed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Three weeks ago, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) declared that, despite their credentials and holding of teaching licenses, the commission had not complied with their right to fair labor practices by providing them internship positions.
The commission’s mandate is restricted to recruiting competent candidates only—no interns or student teachers—according to Justice Byrum Ongaya’s order.
The instructors are now asking for terms of employment that are pensionable and permanent. Spokesman Erastus Mawewu lamented being paid a pitiful Ksh17,000 despite their qualifications during a meeting in Wote, Makueni County.
“The deal was for a one-year, non-renewable contract, which frustrates us. After bringing a matter to court, we were informed that internship contracts were unconstitutional, according to Mawewu.
“We have committed ourselves to our work as patriotic educators, teaching the new curriculum and frequently covering subjects we were not taught in college. We have four years of university education under our belts, however we are only paid 17,000 shillings,” he continued.
Feeling marginalized
“We have given up our time and energy to help our pupils succeed. Nevertheless, we feel ignored by the very administration that we elected. We have made it clear that we will not return to work until we receive equitable recognition and treatment,” he said in closing.
This demonstration takes place just as the nation’s schools are getting back up for the second semester after a protracted vacation caused by disastrous rains.
Junior secondary teachers protest for permanent terms and increased salaries.
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