Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Teachers want bigger role in constitution campaigns

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) wants to be given a bigger role to play in the realisation of a new constitution.

Officials of KNUT National Steering Committee who visited Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his home in Nairobi Wednesday said the organization backed the proposed new constitution and asked the Yes Secretariat to assign it a role in the campaigns.

KNUT Secretary General Mr Lawrence Majali said they would take the Yes campaigns to the grassroots across the country to ensure the proposed constitution was ratified on August 4.

"Teachers wish you a quick recovery because we know you are our friend. But I want to assure you that we are your foot soldiers out there. We resolved to back the proposed constitution and you should not be worried about the campaign," Mr Majali said.

He said teachers have every reason to back the constitution as it entrenches the Teachers Service Commission, giving it powers to register, recruit, promote and discipline teachers.

KNUT chairman Mr George Wesonga said teachers were ready to work with the Yes team and move from village to village drumming up support for the proposed constitution as the campaigns for the proposed constitution heat up.

"We want you to rest very well knowing that we are doing the work out there," Wesonga said.

He said the executive committee of KNUT had mandated it to rally teachers to back the proposed new constitution.

The Prime Minister urged the teachers to campaign hard to ensure the proposed constitution is endorsed on August 4.

He said the proposed constitution recognizes and gives protection to professional organizations like KNUT and TSC.

Mr Odinga said trade unions have always been in the forefront in pushing for reforms and commended KNUT for backing the constitution.

"The Constitution we got from Lancaster has been patched up so many times that even those who crafted it can no longer recognize it. I appeal to you go out of your way and use your numerical strength to help Kenya get a new constitution," he said.

The PM said the proposed constitution provides for a regular salary review mechanism which addresses the prolonged teachers' pay disputes.

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