Coming at a time when the teachers are issuing fresh demands for the implementation of the remaining phases of their contentious 1997 salary increments, it is hardly a wise move.

Granted, the government cannot afford to effect the increments as the economy is in the doldrums. The annual salary bill for teachers on the government payroll currently stands at Sh34.6 billion, while the ministry's total budget is Sh45 billion. If the four remaining phases of the salary raise were to be implemented, the wage bill would rise to Sh84.4 billion by the year 2001.

The government has been keen on an amendment of the TSC Act (Chapter 12) of 1968, in an effort to give the education minister sweeping powers over decisions on teachers' remuneration.

Such a change would result in the reduction of the voting power of the Kenya National Union of Teachers in the Teachers Service Remuneration Committee, giving more say to the government.

The Bill may end up reducing effective representation, which would grossly undermine the union's role. When it was drafted in mid last year, it was clearly aimed at achieving a short-term goal - to goad teachers into giving up the demand for the implementation of their pay award. It was no wonder then that it was shelved after a three-day protest by teachers.

This latest development indicates that the teachers have not been consulted on the plan to re-introduce the Bill in Parliament. Here is a clear case where dialogue could have gone a long way in nipping in the bud another impending crisis in the education sector.

In opposing the Bill, the teachers have argued that it was drafted in bad faith and was meant to enable the government to renege on its pledge to effect the increments. Its re-introduction is premature because the reasons for which it was opposed are still valid. It's time the matter was discussed openly by all the stakeholders. And it is not too late to do so.

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