JSS teachers have called off their two-week strike after reaching a return-to-work agreement. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has committed to hiring them on permanent terms in the next fiscal year, starting in July.

Additionally, the commission has rescinded all show-cause letters issued during the strike.

Since the reopening of schools on May 13th, JSS teachers have been protesting in the streets, urging their employer to revise their employment terms.

The agreement to return to work was facilitated by the KUPPET union, signaling a potential move for JSS teachers to join the Akelo Misori-led teachers’ union.

The absence of a union for JSS teachers since their employment has complicated negotiations.

Kondele News has learned about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the signing of the return-to-work agreement with the TSC.

To bolster their representation, the KUPPET leadership, led by Mr. Misori and Chairman Omboko Milemba, promptly engaged the employer earlier in the week to negotiate on behalf of the JSS teachers, many of whom were initially employed as interns.

KUPPET primarily consists of graduate teachers, similar to those employed in JSS, which strengthens their alignment with the teachers they represent.

However, the categorization of over 40,000 JSS teachers has been a source of contention between KUPPET and KNUT, with recent conflicts between the unions and the TSC highlighting underlying tensions.