The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to clean its house and start serving teachers diligently.
While addressing the Kakamega North teachers attending the Annual General Meeting, the KNUT national vice treasurer, Kennedy Nyamwanda, stated that it was time for the new leadership of the Commission to get back on course and serve the country’s teachers, who had suffered and been humiliated under the outgoing leadership.
“We are happy that the regime of former TSC CEO Nancy Macharia has come to an end. It has been many years of pain and agony for teachers countrywide and we have faith in the acting CEO Eveelen Mitei who has hit the ground running as we already have signed anew (CBA) for the next four years (2025-29) and from the look of things she will overhaul the Commission for the benefits of the teachers” he stated.
He also instructed teachers to adhere to the TSC’s codes of regulations, as cases of indiscipline among teachers have begun to crop up.
The issues we are hearing about teachers having affairs with learners should be isolated cases. Nevertheless, they should be stopped immediately, as we know our teachers are disciplined and fully aware of the consequences.
Nyamwanda also called on the TSC to address the shortage of Junior Secondary teachers in the country, as it was a crisis in waiting if not tackled immediately.
Since the introduction of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) has now been transformed into Competence-Based Education (CBE), the country is in dire need of trained teachers, as the number of learners continues to grow each year.
At the same time, the official cautioned the current junior secondary school teachers against looking down upon their fellow primary school teachers as having a low level of education and called for harmony and unity between the teachers.
READ ALSO:
Kakamega High in mourning as Chief Principal recounts tragic death of Form Three student
He further discouraged those head teachers who were mistreating their teachers, as it amounted to mental torture that also affects the performance of the learners.
He condemned the infiltration of politicians into the employment of teachers, where they pick employment letters from the TSC and either sell them to teachers or issue them to their supporters as rewards for their political support.
“Employment of teachers should be based on year of graduation and not backdoor employment pushed politically, let TSC follow due process in employing our teachers and stop involving the political wing,” he said.
Regarding teacher transfers, he nodded that it was normal, as it came with new experiences. Still, he cautioned the Commission against transferring teachers to schools where they are not comfortable, as it can harm their morale.
He challenged the government to walk the talk in implementing CBE by releasing capitation funds to schools on time to realise the syllabus.
“CBE is all about music, games and practicals, which can only be implemented when there’s availability of funds, but this has not been happening as most schools are operating without funds, making the realisation of the new syllabus hard”
Nyamwanda also adivised TSC to tell the government to increase its budgetary allocation, which will enable more teachers to be employed and promoted nationwide.
He said plans were also underway to engage TSC to adjust the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), which will introduce cadre grades, allowing teachers to be automatically promoted every three years. This will inject new energy into the profession.
KNUT is also working with other unions, including the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), to push for some of the legislation globally.
In what came as a sigh of relief for teachers, the union announced that it will not renew its contract with its medical cover scheme (AoN) due to its continued poor services to teachers nationwide.
“Many teachers have had issues with this medical scheme, and as a union, we have received several complaints about their services, and this has led us to not renew the contract with them.” he revealed.
He, however, said they were ready to support the government of the day if it also addresses our pressing issues.
By Wakhungu Andanje
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
