THE GOOSE IS FINALLY COOKED AS KNUT MEMBERS MISS OUT ON FINAL PHASE OF CBA; TSC TEACHERS’ NEW SALARIES

THE GOOSE IS FINALLY COOKED AS KNUT MEMBERS MISS OUT ON FINAL PHASE OF CBA; TSC TEACHERS’ NEW SALARIES

The much anticipated July 2020 pay rise has been effected by the Teachers Service Commission. However, not all tutors will be smiling all the way to the bank as dreamers put it. Most teachers still have nothing to smile about.

The first batch encompasses classroom teachers who right now feel used and dumped by both the Commission and teachers’ unions.

Classroom teachers had their salary increment implemented in two phases only, yet they do the donkey work within the school set up.

If SRC was honest about its findings, most school heads, deputies, and the so-called senior teachers barely know the performance, leave alone the names of the learners.

So this thing called responsibility allowance does not make sense at all. Why is it that most heads bury their heads in the sand like ostriches when things go south within the school.

Why is it that the TSC narrows down to the teacher on duty when dealing with indiscipline cases within the school?

Most of those principals and heads rarely appear in school. They use meetings and all sorts of excuses to justify their absence and indolence.

Secondly, most teachers have been taken aback after finding out that the Commission has not yet promoted them to the next grade, which is from grade C3 to C2.

Some of the comments on social media will leave you perplexed. After serving the Commission for three years, they ought to get automatically promoted to job group L. However; this is not the case since they have to contact the commission for automatic promotion.

WHAT NEXT FOR KNUT MEMBERS AFTER MISSING OUT ON THE JULY 2020 PAY RISE?

As the chosen few are jubilating following the official release of the July 2020 payslips by TSC yesterday, KNUT members are yet to understand where the rain started beating them.

History is repeating itself. With Dr. Nancy Macharia having been reappointed as TSC CEO, KNUT’s future seems bleak.

The once vibrant teachers’ union has now been reduced to a shell after most teachers pressed the red button to avoid missing out on the TSC promotions and salary increments.

What is more disturbing is the fact that KNUT secretary general Mr. Wilson Sossion is officially deregistered and the TSC has remained adamant about its position not to engage a deregistered teacher in any deliberations.

Who will engage the teachers’ employer for the benefit of its members now that its secretary-general has been deregistered? There is only one way out. Session must put the teachers’ interests ahead of his. It is high time Sossion swallowed his pride and came down from his high horse.

It is not an uphill task for him to step aside and allow another official to take over and champion for the rights of the teachers.

In August 2019, KUPPET, KNUT’s rival was honorably invited to a meeting to discuss the fate of 38, 000 diploma teachers in secondary schools. Unlike KUPPET, KNUT has never held any fruitful meeting with the teachers’ employer. Most of the engagements have culminated in court battles that leave the union dented.

KNUT should strategize on how the next CBA will benefit classroom teachers who are the majority to redeem its lost glory.