Kenia: Union issues strike threat over non-payment of ECDE teachers

Kenia / 06 de julio de 2016 / Por: ALEX NJERU / Fuente: http://www.nation.co.ke/

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has given Tharaka-Nithi County one month to pay Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers their seven months’ salary arrears or call for countywide demos.

Maara and Chuka/Igambangombe Knut branch secretary Njeru Mutani asked Education executive Kinyua Njoka to pay the teachers or wait to be ejected from office.

“ECDE teachers were employed seven months ago but have never received any salary and the county government has remained silent on this matter,” Mr Mutani complained.

He also accused the county of intimidating the ECDE teachers by threatening to sack those demanding for their pay.

Mr Mutani also added that the county has not built ECDE classes despite allocation of millions of money for the same in the last financial year.

But speaking to Nation on phone, Mr Njoka said the teachers will be paid their May and June salaries in the course of this month as the finance department processes arrears for the remaining four months.

He said the ECDE teachers have worked for six months and not seven as alleged by union officials.

“The finance department is working tirelessly to process the salary and money will be deposited into their accounts this month. The teachers received appointment letters in January and not December as alleged,” he said.

Teachers who spoke to Nation also expressed displeasure with the county government with some threatening to quit.

The teachers have been employed on a salary of Sh13, 000 per month.

Fuente noticia: http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/strike-education/-/1107872/3280956/-/ke9tq2z/-/index.html