By Lydia Ngoolo
As the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) continues collecting views across the country from stakeholders, some of the key issues raised are delocalization, Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation, congestion in schools and recruitment of teachers.
In Makueni, the Commission held the meeting at Green Park led by TSC Commissioner Leila Ali and other four commissioners.
She revealed that there were nine commissioners split into two for the same purpose.
She added that early this year they visited Arid and Semi Arid Locations (ASAL) areas and they planned to traverse countrywide by the end of the year.
After opening the floor. a participant observed that several local schools had overstayed without administrators making them prone to cartels who were set to exploit the resources therein.
He also complained on how TSC had been extending the retirement age for school heads yet there were many young unemployed trained teachers at home.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) area Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu said that for the 100 percent transition policy needed more teachers to be effective.
Another participant called for fair hearing of teachers’ indiscipline cases saying that some students were out to frame teachers.
The Commission was further urged to come up with a program to address mental health among teachers.
Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo called for consultation by TSC before implementing policies which make teachers and parents work unbearable especially the CBC education system and the teacher delocalization policy.
He questioned why recruitment of teachers does not follow the TSC number adding that it defeated logic how a recent graduate got employed before a graduate who graduated many years ago.
Makueni Constituency MP Susan Kiamba told the commissioners that the consultation they were currently holding was what needed to be done before CBC implementation.
“We can’t promote mediocrity in the name of system change. The value in this curriculum can’t be taken lightly. Atleast I know what CBC is, but how can the others review what they don’t know. Make people understand it first,” said Kiamba.
On the issue of delocalization, she termed it as an extremely bad policy saying it failed to consider the wellbeing of teachers.
Makueni CECM for Education Naomi Makau observed the shortage of administrators in schools was worrying adding that TSC should ensure there are no gaps in the administration structure of schools.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Makueni branch Executive Secretary Benson Ndambuki noted that the delocalization policy was very demoralizing to teachers.
He added that the policy reduced teachers’ productivity and thus called for it’s abolishment.
Ndambuki called for freedom of labour movements, saying that the government was on the prowl to finish the union and that it was a very dangerous idea.
“Trade unions are constitutional. We suffered for two years going without salaries. We are elected to fight for teachers rights and that was not fair at all,” said Ndambuki.
He termed the Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) programme as a good tool but there was a lot of paperwork encouraging cybercrime.
The KNUT said that teachers were exposing their sensitive details including passwords to cyber cafe attendants who were taking advantage of them.
Ndambuki also observed that training of teachers should not be held over the holidays as the teachers also needed to relax like the other officers.
He questioned why recruitment of teachers does not follow the TSC number adding that it defeated logic how a recent graduate got employed before a graduate who graduated many years ago.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) area Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu said that for the 100 percent transition policy needed more teachers to be effective.
He called for teachers who excel in Teacher of the Year Awards (TOYA) and Principal of the Year Awards (POYA) to be promoted to the next job group.
He added that there was teacher stagnation calling for redesigning of the Career Progressive Guidelines (CPG) such that promotions become automatic when a teacher upgrades.
Ndambuki noted that in medical cover, delayed attendance was becoming a challenge due to lack of authority from service providers.
He further suggested that there was no need for interns to go for interviews again when job opportunities are announced by employer.
“Once confirmed as an intern, there is no need and infact they should be considered without much ado,” he said.
Commissioner Leila Ali assured the stakeholders that all the issues they had raised would be addressed.
“Thank you for being open to us. All positive comments and negative ones will be dealt with accordingly to make teachers work easier for betterment of our children,” she said.
She revealed that there were nine commissioners split into two for the same purpose.
She adding that early this year they visited ASAL areas and they plan to traverse countrywide by the end of the year.
