TSC, Teacher Unions Hold Talks Ahead of World Teachers’ Day Celebrations

Preparations for this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebrations have been finalised following a meeting between TSC and teacher union officials in Nairobi.

The discussions were held at the Teachers Service Commission headquarters and were led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Collins Oyuu was among the union leaders hosted during the meeting.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akelo Misori also attended the talks alongside KUPPET Chairman Omboko Milemba.

The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers was represented by Secretary General James Torome.

The meeting was held ahead of the national World Teachers’ Day celebrations scheduled for Monday, October 5, in Nairobi.

Arrangements for the event were reviewed as representatives from the teaching profession sought to coordinate the national celebrations.

Ruto expected to preside over celebrations

President William Ruto is expected to preside over the celebrations as the chief guest.

The event is also expected to provide an opportunity for teachers and their representatives to raise issues concerning commitments previously made by the government.

Attention is likely to be directed towards pledges made during an earlier State House meeting between the President and teachers.

Several commitments have since been implemented, according to union officials and teachers, while others remain outstanding.

Government commitments already implemented

Among the commitments cited as having been fulfilled is the recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers by the government.

The recruitment has been credited with helping address staffing shortages that have affected schools in different parts of the country.

An increase in the education budget has also been identified among the commitments that have been implemented.

The promotion budget allocated to TSC was also increased from KSh1 billion to KSh2 billion.

The additional funding enabled a major promotion exercise through which thousands of teachers were moved to higher grades after prolonged periods of stagnation.

A new medical scheme has also been introduced for teachers, although its performance has continued to attract differing views.

Some teachers have regarded the current medical cover as an improvement, while others have compared it unfavourably with the former AON Minet arrangement.

Pending issues remain a concern

Despite the progress reported on several commitments, some issues affecting teachers remain unresolved.

Promotion of special needs education teachers is among the matters expected to remain on the agenda during discussions surrounding the celebrations.

President Ruto had promised that SNE teachers would be promoted by one grade, but the commitment has yet to be implemented.

The issue is expected to remain a key concern for KUSNET as it continues to advocate for its members.

Another outstanding commitment concerns the duration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Ruto had previously indicated that the CBA period would be reduced from four years to two years, but the 2025–2029 agreement remained in place.

Instead, teachers received the second phase of the current CBA deal in July 2026.

The World Teachers’ Day celebrations will therefore bring together government officials, TSC and teacher representatives at a time when several commitments have been implemented while others remain under discussion.