The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Budget and Appropriation Chair Ndindi Nyoro has indicated that both the National Treasury and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have adequate financial solutions to resolve the current teachers’ strike.
Nyoro, the Kiharu MP, proposed that Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi could use Article 223 of the Constitution to access funds needed for the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Article 223 permits the government to withdraw up to 10 percent of the approved budget from the Consolidated Fund Service (CFS) without prior parliamentary approval.
“If available resources are insufficient, Article 223 allows the National Treasury to spend beyond the budget and seek parliamentary approval later,” Nyoro explained.
Should the National Treasury not utilize Article 223, TSC can use the Sh350 billion allocated for personal emoluments, including salaries and allowances, to implement the agreement. Nyoro suggested that any budget shortfall could be addressed in the Supplementary Budget Two before the end of the financial year in June 2025.
TSC had previously indicated that budget cuts might prevent them from honoring the 2023 CBA, which was initially signed in June 2021 and amended in August 2023.
“The personal emolument budget for TSC is already allocated for the year. If additional funds are required for the CBA, the existing funds can be utilized,” Nyoro said, adding that any deficit might be covered by a supplementary budget.
Knut ended their strike on Sunday after 68 Kuppet National Executive Council members ratified the decision. Knut noted TSC’s goodwill, including promotions for 51,232 teachers, though KUPPET remains dissatisfied.
CBA demands include promoting 130,000 stagnant teachers, allocating Sh15 billion for teachers’ medical cover, and releasing July 2024 emoluments.
Additionally, KUPPET seeks the remittance of loans and NSSF deductions to statutory bodies, which have been deducted but not forwarded since June 2024.
Regarding the employment of Junior Secondary School teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba assured that funds are allocated for this purpose. The government also released Sh18.7 billion to hire intern teachers amid the ongoing strike.
CS Ogamba confirmed the funding and reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing education standards and ensuring fair teacher compensation.
