Stakeholders in the education sector have raised concerns over the state of most of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) offices across the country, alluding that the state of the offices is not meeting the expectations of an independent commission.
Education News carried out random oral survey on the image of the commission as it carries out its mandate in selected counties in 3 regions in the country. The respondents applauded the commission’s commitment towards employment of teachers to mitigate shortages from teachers exiting payroll through natural attrition. However, the status of most of the employer’s offices was poured cold water.
“Our TSC office looks dull, without enough furniture and lack proper painting to make it look like an office that can employ anyone,” laughed off Ndithya Nemwel from Kitui. He further wondered why most TSC offices especially at the sub counties look cash strapped as opposed to the Ministry of Education ones.
In Nyanza and western regions, the respondents who included Headteachers and sub county officers described the situation as dire and required urgent interventions.
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“Heads of institutions are mostly compelled to rescue the operations in the sub county offices,” said Otieno one of the Headteachers. Lack of facilitation on basics such as stationary, airtime, transport and capacity to hold workshops and meetings at the sub county level is under the mercies and goodwill of both Kepsha and Kesha the respondents further claimed.
Some of the sub county bosses who were reached for comment said they always received meagre facilitation on quarterly basis. “It is true we receive very little from the head office which cannot sustain the operations of our offices. This has made us entirely request for help from the heads associations”, confirmed one of the sub county Director who sought anonymity.
Teachers Service Commission is one of the 14 independent commissions under the 2010 constitution. Of all, the commission is a powerful commission that remains to be the biggest employer in East and central Africa. It is thus expected to have well facilitated offices in the field so as to match its status that encompasses its huge budgetary allocation yearly.
By Mark Jonyo Otieno.
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