The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to working with teachers’ unions to improve teachers’ welfare and maintain industrial harmony amid growing concerns over salaries, promotions and working conditions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made the commitment during a consultative meeting with officials of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) at Jogoo House B in Nairobi on Thursday.
The talks came as Kuppet continues to push the government to resolve several outstanding issues, including delayed promotions, salary disparities, the implementation of the 2026 Career Progression Guidelines and challenges affecting teachers under the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme.
The union has also expressed concern over inadequate capitation to public schools, warning that funding shortages are making it difficult for institutions to cover essential expenses such as food, electricity, water and learning materials, particularly during the examination period.
Although the official annual capitation allocation stands at Sh22,244 per learner, schools have received approximately Sh16,000 following the latest Sh18.5 billion disbursement for the third term.
Kuppet has further criticised the government over delays in promoting teachers. The union says the government had pledged to promote 50,000 teachers, but only about 34,000 positions have been addressed, leaving approximately 16,000 eligible teachers stuck in their current job groups.
The union is also concerned about delays by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in approving and allocating funds for the proposed 2026 Career Progression Guidelines. The guidelines are expected to create faster routes for teachers to advance to senior positions while remaining in classroom-based roles.
Kuppet is additionally seeking the reopening and review of its 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), arguing that salary increases granted to other public-sector workers have widened pay disparities among employees in comparable job groups.
Also Read: Prosecutors Present Fresh Evidence Linking Radicalisation Teachings To Kwa Binzaro Disappearances
The union has described recent salary reviews as insufficient, particularly in light of the rising cost of living.
Kuppet has also accused the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) of unfair labour practices and is calling for clearer contracts, improved remuneration for examination personnel and payment of outstanding dues before teachers participate in the 2026 national examinations.
On healthcare, the union says teachers continue to experience difficulties under the SHA system, including delays in medical authorisations and limitations on access to some essential services. It has called on the Education Ministry to intervene.
Ogamba’s meeting with Kuppet officials, led by Secretary-General Akelo Misori, comes as the government seeks to prevent the growing grievances from escalating into industrial action.
A teachers’ strike would significantly disrupt learning during the final school term, when institutions are preparing learners for national examinations and assessments.
The ministry said the discussions centred on teachers’ welfare and efforts to improve access to quality basic education, signalling a preference for resolving the disputes through dialogue rather than industrial action.
