By Staff Reporter
Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers officials yesterday promised to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that is being launched today at the Bomas of Kenya.
While addressing the press, the union’s Secretary-General Akello Misori said they will mobilize teachers and all workers to support the initiative saying it reflects the broad consensus of many stakeholders.
“We will reach out to other trade unions and workers organisations to create a framework of consultation and grassroots initiatives to bring more Kenyans to the BBI process,” said Misori.
Mr. Misori was in the company of the union’s National Chairman Omboko Milemba, Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima and National Organising Secretary Paul Maingi.
Speaking during the press briefing, Milemba said the union will push for the creation of an independent professional regulator for teachers with the Teachers Service Commission remaining as the employer.
“The TSC’s power to review the standards of education and training of persons under Article 237 (3)(a) belongs to an independent professional regulator,” argued Hon Milemba.
The union’s Chair who doubles as Emuhaya MP, however, said that the union will allow teachers to make decisions on their own citing that Kenya is a country with diverse political persuasions.
The BBI taskforce report discourages the local recruitment and staffing of teachers. It, however, proposes that measures be put in place to encourage cultural exchange and integration.
To strengthen social ties and promote unity in the country, the report recommends that the Ministry of Education through the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development reviews the curricula to introduce and further integrate the teaching of national unity, character and cohesion to learners.
The report also proposes the review of policies in the education sector especially that promote social integration concerning admission.
