By Betty Luke
The National Independent Church of Africa (NICA) has called for a dialogue between teachers’ unions, their employer and the government to avert the teachers strike slated for August 26, 2024 when schools reopen.
Led by the National Synod Chairperson Archbishop Daniel Muriuki, the church called for an immediate solution to the crisis to ensure learning is not disrupted.
“If the teachers go on strike, it will negatively impact the young generation that is already grappling with high rates of unemployment in the country,” said Mr Muriuki.
Speaking during the church’s 25th Ordinary Synod meeting in Isiolo that was attended by hundreds of delegates, the clerics called on the government to fulfil promises made to the teachers to enable them work in a conducive environment.
“A dialogue will be key in addressing concerns raised by the teachers. We urge the government to ensure promises made are fulfilled in time to avoid a crisis in the education sector,” said Bishop Stephen Kalunyu.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the sister union Kenya Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) are faulting the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over failure to factor in Sh13.3 billion into the supplementary budget for the implementation of the second phase of 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Other issues of concern to the teachers is the employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, failure to remit third party deductions to the relevant organizations among others.
The men of the cloth also faulted state agencies over alleged failure to fulfil their responsibilities in a manner that ensures justice for the citizens.
“Failure by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to diligently fight corruption in the country pushed the youth to the streets and eventually many of them lost the lives,” noted Bishop Njeru Nyaga.
