In a significant ruling delivered on Tuesday, the Labour Court has temporarily halted the ongoing teachers' strike and scheduled a case mention for September 5.
Justice James Rika of the Employment and Labour Relations Court issued the ruling following a petition by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
"Pending the hearing and determination of the application inter parties, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the petitioner, restraining the respondent, its officials, members, and employees from withdrawing labour or participating in industrial action," stated Justice Rika.
This ruling comes as the nationwide strike by the Kenya National Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) disrupted learning in most public high schools across the country, leaving students in a state of uncertainty.
Government’s Response and Future Plans
In response to the crisis, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Magosi urged teachers to return to their classrooms, assuring them that the government is actively engaging with stakeholders to address their concerns.
Among the immediate solutions, the government has released Ksh 13.5 billion to cover the delayed salaries for July and August.
"As part of implementing the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the National Treasury has released Ksh 13.5 billion to ensure public school teachers are paid their July and August salary arrears by Friday," Magosi stated.
Teachers had vowed to down their tools initiated after the government's failure to fully implement their CBA. Other grievances include the hiring of unqualified teachers and the underpayment of those teaching in Junior Secondary Schools.
Magosi also highlighted that the President had earlier announced plans to hire 20,000 teachers by the end of the year, a move that would alleviate the shortage of teachers in schools across the country.
