The Kenya National Union of teachers yesterday snubbed a government consultative meeting on the teachers' strike that enters its third day today.
Chairman Wilson Sosion said they will not attend any meeting that aims to end the strike if Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi and his Labour counterpart Kazungu Kambi involve Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli in the talks.
Sosion who was accompanied by Knut secretary general Xavier Nyamu accused Atwoli of misleading the government by saying the 1997 deal is outdated.
He said the only union affiliated to Knut is the Public Service Trade Union not Cotu.
"Legal notice no. 534 of 1997 is legal. We are ready to shift the gear due to the dictatorial tendencies we have seen from the government's side," he said.
"The government has approached us with new demands and we are not ready to negotiate with them on new terms unless the earlier deal honoured."
He said the laptop projcet should be shelved because teachers need to be empowered before they embark on the programme.
"Before President Kibaki rolled out Free Primary Education, he took care of teachers and we want President Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto to do so before buying laptops for students," Sosion said.
He said the governments cannot deny the legality of the agreement.
However Kaimenyi yesterday said the government has addressed all the issues in the 1997 agreement.
He urged teachers to go back to work as they dialogue with TSC and the SRC.
“Even if the government has something to offer the teachers, how do we do it if they do not agree to talks?” he asked.
“Legal notice no 16 2003 superseded notice no 534 of 1997,” Kaimenyi said.
He said the commuter, medical and house allowances were phased out because the economy was not doing well.
The parliamentary committee on delegated legislation chaired by former Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo ruled that notice no 16 is illegal after teachers and government had agreed to respect the committees final report.
But Kaimenyi said the government has not refused to respect the ruling.
“The committees report was to be discussed on the floor of Parliament for adoption or rejection, but this did not happen,” Kaimenyi said.
He said the laptop programme for primary schools cannot be set aside as it is a priority just like teachers' recruitment and promotion.
He said the laptop programme for primary schools cannot be set aside as it is a priority just like teachers' recruitment and promotion.
"The project is meant to benefit our children," Kaimenyi said.
He said the government has set aside Sh3.9 billion for the recruitment of teachers.
Kuppet attended yesterday's talks held at TSC offices.
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