Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called on university lecturers to return to work, assuring them that the government has fulfilled its obligations under previous collective bargaining agreements. Speaking during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations, Ogamba emphasized the government's commitment to resolving outstanding issues through dialogue. He noted that all salary arrears arising from the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) had been fully cleared.
Ogamba's remarks come as a significant development in the ongoing dispute between the government and university staff unions. The Education CS urged lecturers to reciprocate the government's good faith by respecting court orders and resuming teaching. He cautioned against disrupting learning, emphasizing that disputes should be addressed through negotiations rather than at the expense of students. Ogamba's call to action aims to mitigate the impact of the strike on the education sector.
The World Teachers’ Day celebrations, held under the theme "Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Futures," provided a fitting backdrop for Ogamba's address. He highlighted the importance of teacher welfare, stating that the success of education depends heavily on the welfare and professional growth of teachers. Ogamba emphasized that the government, parents, communities, and education partners must support teachers not only in words but through practical action.
Ogamba traced the origins of global recognition of teachers' rights to 1966, when the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNESCO adopted the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This framework recognizes teachers' need for respect, fair remuneration, decent working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth. Ogamba noted that 60 years later, the government is working to live up to that promise, citing increased investment in education and measures aimed at improving teacher welfare.
The government has demonstrated its commitment to education by allocating nearly 30 per cent of the national budget to the sector over the past four years. Ogamba highlighted the recruitment of large numbers of teachers and measures aimed at improving their welfare through career progression and capacity building. These investments are intended to support the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE), which has brought significant changes to Kenya's education system.
According to Ogamba, teachers have remained at the centre of the transition to CBE, guiding learners through successive stages up to Senior School. He acknowledged that reforms of this scale bring challenges and that teachers are always at the vanguard in dealing with them. Ogamba reiterated that teacher welfare remains a government priority, including ensuring teachers are paid on time, promoted fairly, and supported to advance their careers.
Ogamba also stressed that teachers cannot shoulder the responsibility of raising and educating children alone. He called on parents and communities to work alongside schools in nurturing responsible citizens, emphasizing that this partnership should extend beyond academics to co-curricular activities, environmental conservation, climate action, cohesion, patriotism, and nation-building. By working together, Ogamba believes that the education sector can thrive and produce well-rounded individuals.
Key points
- The government has cleared all salary arrears arising from the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
- Ogamba urges university lecturers to return to work and respect court orders.
- The government has increased investment in education, allocating nearly 30 per cent of the national budget to the sector over the past four years.
