Teachers’ unions vowed to block unilateral reforms in education

Two teachers’ unions have vowed to block any unilateral reforms initiated by the Education ministry.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion and his Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) counterpart Akello Misori Friday said views from teachers are key in reforms and cannot be ignored.

While addressing a Kuppet annual delegates’ conference in Kisii, Mr Sossion said any new policy must be tested, subjected to public scrutiny and participation before being implemented.

“As unions, we agree on the need for reforms but we will not swallow things wholesale without interrogating them,” said Mr Sossion.

“The Constitution even suggests the need for dialogue and public participation on such issues before they are implemented.”

FUNDAMENTAL WRONGS

The Knut boss said there are “fundamental wrongs” being pushed by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i that must be brought to a stop.

He criticised Dr Matiang’i’s plan to compel school heads to have master’s degrees. He said having a chain of degrees was not a sign that one can be a better leader.

“A degree is not leadership. It should, instead, be considered an added advantage. As unions, we resist such moves,” said Mr Sossion.

He also opposed the implementation of the new education system next year, saying teachers were not being given enough time to prepare for the transition.

“We will be guilty if we sit back as union leaders and watch dictatorship sink the education of our country to the grave. We cannot allow one individual to decide on issues affecting a whole nation,” said the Knut boss.

REFORM AGENDA

Mr Sossion observed that while Dr Matiang’i had begun well on the reform agenda, he had now reached a level where he was “unilaterally pushing things on his own”.

“Matiang’i has now taken to speeding. We ask him to go slow. He needs to go to all the levels for engagement to help the ministry move forward without hiccups,” said Mr Sossion.

At the same time, Mr Misori called for an upgrade of more secondary schools to help accommodate more learners passing examinations.

RESOURCES

He said there was no need for the government to pour huge resources into the development of schools that are already advanced while several others are in a poor state.

“On this issue, we want to differ with Dr Matiang’i. Let him focus on nascent schools for development rather than established ones,” said Mr Misori.

“Teachers should be given the freedom to interrogate some of the policies without being seen to be at loggerheads with the ministry,” he added.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae, who officially opened the meeting, called on teachers to seek continuous professional development.

“Workers are increasingly becoming emboldened to agitate for better pay. I am happy that trade unions, among them Kuppet, are constantly negotiating with their employers to cushion their members against inflationary pressures,” he said.

He, however, said this should be done amicably.