Govt agrees to pay teachers Ksh.13.5b pay hike

Written By:KBC Reporter,    Posted: Sun, Sep 23, 2012

The strike has paralyzed learning in all public schools for three weeks. The Government has agreed to pay teachers Ksh 13.5billion pay hike in one-off payment in October, backdating it from 1st July. The government has also agreed to harmonize their salaries with those of other civil servants. Speaking to Kenya Broadcasting Coprporation on phone Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Chairman Wilson Sossion said they have accepted the offer and the teachers union's National Executive Council (NEC) will meet on Monday to agree on the procedure to call off the strike. The deal was hammered out at a meeting between KNUT officials and Finance Minister Njeru Githae Sunday afternoon at a Nairobi Hotel.   Last Friday, the teachers and government failed to agree on how to implement the deal after day-long talks at Parliament and the Treasury. On Saturday the teachers rejected a government offer to pay them in three phases starting next month. Sossion had said teachers will accept nothing short of lump sum payment. The strike has paralyzed learning in all public schools for three weeks.