The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has put on hold a strike threat issued last month after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) extended an invitation for dialogue.

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori confirmed that negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are set to begin on Wednesday, July 2, following the employer's official request for talks aimed at revising teachers’ salaries.

“We’ve decided to suspend the planned strike since TSC has now come forward to engage us on the long-awaited salary review,” Misori told The Standard in an interview during the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) conference in Mombasa, which brought together more than 7,000 principals from across the country.

Misori expressed optimism that the talks will address the union's October 30, 2024, submission, which seeks a pay rise ranging from 30 to 70 per cent for various teacher categories.

He emphasized the financial strain teachers are facing and expressed hope for meaningful outcomes.

Among the union’s key proposals is a shift in the CBA cycle reducing it from four years to two to match the country’s dynamic economic climate.

Misori also called for a 100 per cent increment in selected allowances, especially for teachers working in high-cost areas like Nairobi.

“Many teachers in schools like Kenya High can’t afford to live anywhere near their workplaces,” Misori said. “They’re forced to live far away and spend most of their salaries on transportation.”

KUPPET will also push for a review of the career progression policy to allow automatic promotions up to the deputy principal level.

According to Misori, a major concern is the stalled promotion of 130,000 teachers who were shortlisted in the 2023/2024 financial year but have yet to advance.

He pointed out that while most educators fall within grades C3 to C5, some principals remain stuck in grade D2 without confirmation.

Others have remained in grade D3 for over three years, despite heading upgraded schools now eligible for D4.

In conclusion, Misori urged TSC to advertise vacancies for chief principal positions to ensure deserving educators get promoted accordingly.