Teachers carry home ‘State House basket’ full of benefits after Ruto meet

Teachers' union officials during the signing of the MOU with the Affordable Housing Board at the State House on September 13,2025/PCS 

In an address laced with pledges, Ruto assured teachers that his administration is committed to dialogue rather than confrontation in addressing their grievances.

“I know there are many people who are not happy because there was no demonstration,” the President said. 

“But is there any reason for us to engage in the streets when we can engage at negotiation tables? There is absolutely no reason, and that is why there are people who are unhappy that this has happened without quarrels.”

At the centre of the discussions was the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

Ruto affirmed that the government would honour what has been signed while leaving room for review.

“I want to tell the teachers of Kenya that whatever it is that has been signed as a CBA, we will honour our part as the government. If there are any areas of improvement, we will look at them, and we can even go beyond what has been signed,” he assured.

Teachers had pressed for the CBA review cycle to be shortened from four years to two years.

Ruto agreed to the demand, directing the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Education, and teacher leadership to sit together and review the cycle.

On school financing, teachers raised concerns over delays in the disbursement of capitation funds and the mismatch between the government’s financial year and the school calendar. 

Ruto instructed the Ministries of Education and Finance to harmonise their systems by December.

Currently, the government disburses Sh1,400 per primary school pupil against the recommended Sh2,238, and Sh17,000 per secondary student instead of Sh22,000.

“We must live up to what was recommended by the Presidential Working Party. We have a gap of almost Sh800 in primary and Sh5,000 in secondary schools. 

From the next financial year, we will reduce that gap by half and close it in the following year,” Ruto pledged. 

He added that digitisation efforts to weed out ghost schools and learners could generate savings to close the gap even faster.

The President also announced that from January 2026, learners pursuing arts and sports will receive direct capitation rather than having their pathways classified as extracurricular activities. 

“If there will be any gaps after we implement that, we will review and see what we can do,” he said.

Ruto responded to concerns over unemployed graduates, some already nearing retirement without ever joining the profession. 

He directed that a “first-out, first-in” model be adopted to prioritise those who have waited longest.

“Give me the financial implications so that I can have a proper response. If we have to do a Marshall Plan to get them in, then we will,” he said, promising a detailed communication within 60 days.

Stagnation in promotions was another thorny issue.

According to the TSC, 151,000 teachers have been promoted over the past three years, yet nearly half a million remain in service.

Ruto ordered the doubling of promotion funds from Sh1 billion to Sh2 billion annually, enabling at least 50,000 promotions each year. 

“We must move teachers up the ladder faster,” he said. He also directed a review of the cost of promoting head teachers currently stuck at Grade D1.

The President announced the elimination of any remaining aspects of the unpopular delocalisation policy and called for an immediate review of Career Progression Guidelines. 

He further instructed Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to fast-track Sessional Paper No.1 of 2025, which consolidates all agreed education reforms, to Parliament within 45 days.

National Assembly Education Committee chair Julius Melly also promised support for establishing Competency-Based Curriculum resource centres in every sub-county. 

“We will use CDF resources to deliver these centres because we understand their importance,” he said.

The teachers’ medical scheme also came under scrutiny. 

Ruto noted that the current package falls below market standards and lags behind that of civil servants. 

“We cannot continue with this medical coverage the way it is. We will review and make sure it is in tandem with what others are getting,” he pledged.

On housing, the President acknowledged that teachers contribute 13 per cent, about Sh900 million monthly, to the housing levy. 

In recognition, he announced that 20 per cent of affordable housing units will be reserved for them. 

An MoU between the Affordable Housing Board and teachers’ unions was signed during the meeting.

Ruto also underscored the central role of teachers in national transformation. 

“Education is at the heart of our nation’s progress, and teachers are its drivers. We must stand with you,” he said to resounding applause.