By Staff Reporter
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called upon the Teachers Service Commission TSC to hire more teachers in a bid to reduce the shortage.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said about 50,000 teachers are set to retire and replacement of the same number is needed to avert the crisis.
“There is a possibility of letting off teachers who are above 55 years of age for they are vulnerable to Covid-19. We fear to lose more teachers bearing in mind since Covid-19 hit our country we have lost more than 36 teachers. About 25000 are aged 58 years and above hence set to retire from June next year,” he said.
He expressed his worry that 50,000 teachers will retire in the next three years. He added resignation and current trends of deaths may lead to other 4000 teachers leaving the service.
Misori observed that in their letter to the TSC and other relevant government departments, they called for the hiring of 15,000 teachers per year between 2021 and 2026.
“The 12,000 teachers being hired by the commission before next year is a small number considering the high number needed due to heavy labor ahead,” he observed.
He, however, lamented that TSC should open doors for teachers above 55 years who wish to retire. He added TSC directors, principals and headteachers have not been given directives of implementing teachers to work from home to teachers who deserve the leave of absence.
