KNUT Intervenes in TSC-JSS Interns Dispute and Demands Withdrawal of Show-Cause Notices.
On Thursday, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) announced its intervention in the ongoing employment contract disputes involving junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers. These teachers have been staging nationwide protests, voicing their grievances against the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). KNUT is now calling for the immediate withdrawal of all recently issued show-cause notices sent to the protesting JSS interns.
Collins Oyuu, the Secretary General of KNUT, emphasized the legitimacy of the intern teachers’ concerns by stating, “The teachers, to a larger extent, are right.” Furthermore, he highlighted the significant impact of these protests on millions of students across the country and expressed the union’s readiness to mediate a return-to-work agreement between the intern teachers and TSC.
Oyuu clarifies that although current employment terms prevent intern teachers from being unionizable, they are associate members according to Article III (15) of the KNUT Constitution. He urges TSC to develop a framework to resolve the conflict amicably.
As the intern teachers’ strike entered its second week, Oyuu instructed all protesting teachers to return to their workstations immediately, assuring them that KNUT had taken over the matter. He stressed that no teacher participating in the protests should face any punitive action. Oyuu reinforced the union’s inclusive stance, stating, “We do not wish to see them discriminated against simply because they are not employed on permanent and pensionable terms and do not contribute to the union.”
Read also:
- Education Crisis as Junior Secondary School (JSS) Teachers Continue Strike
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- KUPPET Stands with Intern Teachers: Urges Negotiations Amid Strike
The core of the interns’ grievances lies in the alleged non-compliance with part V of the TSC’s Code of Regulations. Oyuu argued that trained and qualified teachers should not be labeled as interns but should be employed under proper contracts with permanent and pensionable terms. He reiterated his communication with TSC, urging adherence to the 2015 Code of Regulations for hiring teachers.
Oyuu called for a peaceful resolution to the standoff and mentioned that the matter is currently under judicial consideration. Furthermore, he appealed to the intern teachers to entrust the issue to KNUT, which has shown a strong commitment to finding a lasting solution. Additionally, Oyuu expressed concerns about TSC’s tendency to issue show-cause letters as a precursor to disciplinary actions, confirming that many teachers have already received such notices.
In conclusion, KNUT has taken a firm stance in support of the JSS intern teachers, demanding that TSC rescind all show-cause notices and address the employment issues through a fair and structured approach. Oyuu’s statements reflect the union’s dedication to protecting the rights of all teachers, advocating for fair employment practices, and ensuring that no teacher faces unjust repercussions for participating in the protests.
KNUT Intervenes in TSC-JSS Interns Dispute and Demands Withdrawal of Show-Cause Notices.
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