TSC and KUPPET discussions on the new 2021-2025 CBA for teachers; Latest news

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have held discussions on implementing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, for teachers. TSC and KUPPET held a joint retreat from 29th October to 1st November 2019 at Sawela Lodges, Naivasha to lay grounds for the engagement of the CBA. Here is a presser signed jointly by Dr. Nancy Macharia (TSC Boss) and Mr. Akello Misori (KUPPET Secretary General);

Background

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) signed the 2017-2021 Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) on 26th October, 2016 which came into force effectively 1st July 2017. The 2017-2021 CBAs ring fenced KSh. 54 billion for teachers’ salaries to be implemented in a period of four years. The Commission has successfully implemented three out of the four phases of the agreement. This has led to industrial stability in the teaching service. With only one phase remaining, TSC and KUPPET agreed to commence negotiations for the next cycle of CBA (2021-2025). In this regard, TSC and KUPPET held a joint retreat from 29th October to 1st November 2019 at Sawela Lodges, Naivasha to lay grounds for the engagement of the CBA.

1). Status of implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2017-2021

The Commission has implemented Phase Three of the CBA 2017-2021 for KUPPET members. It was appreciated that Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) and Teacher Professional Development (TPD) as the tools for full implementation of the CBA have led to professionalization of the teaching service.
Professionalization of the teaching service has greatly improved the image of the teaching service as the profession of choice in the Public Service.
The retreat discussed the implementation status of the current CBA; challenges met in the course of implementation; lessons learnt in the implementation; and factors to consider while preparing the next CBA (2021-2025).

Both parties took note of the need to compress the difference in wage between classroom teachers and institutional administrators. Parties underscored the need for continued equity and fairness in wage distribution in the teaching service and agreed that the issue be addressed during the 2021-2025 CBA negotiations.

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2). Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2021-2025

Parties jointly agreed the factors to be put into consideration in negotiating the next CBA shall include: the cost of living adjustments, affordability, sustainability, comparability, government fiscal policies and guidelines, teacher performance and productivity. In addition, there may also be need to consider the implication of implementing Competency Based Curriculum and its impact on the job of the teacher.

Further, parties agreed on a comprehensive framework for 2021-2025 CBA negotiations and the procedures to be followed.
Parties have agreed to commence the journey on 1st November, 2019.

TSC and KUPPET teams jointly address the media at Sawela Lodge, Naivasha, at the end of a retreat to review status of implementation of the current CBA and to lay the groundwork for negotiations of a new CBA.
TSC and KUPPET teams jointly address the media at Sawela Lodge, Naivasha, at the end of a retreat to review status of implementation of the current CBA and to lay the groundwork for negotiations of a new CBA.

3. Other issues discussed

(a) The need for TSC to fast-track issuance of promotion letters to all teachers who have been promoted since 1st July, 2017;
(b) Consider career progression path for Diploma teachers.
(c) Consider career progression path for special needs education teachers.
(d) The need for teachers to be acquainted with the legal instruments governing their employment especially the Career Progression Guidelines to enable them take advantage of the promotional adverts for career growth.

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