By Fredrick Odiero
The Kisumu County Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) branch has warned its employer to stop using the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) as a tool to intimidate tutors.
Kisumu KUPPET area Executive Secretary Mr. Zablon Awange said all teachers are qualified since they have first degrees.He said that quite a sizeable number of teachers are Master’s holders while some are pursuing PhDs.
Speaking at his Kisumu office, Awange said that TPD should not be used by the Teachers Service Commission as a tool to reduce the number of tutors in the country. Awange said there was no public participation in the first place before the concept was rolled out.
The unionist was reacting after TSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia in Kisumu recently said that teachers should take TPD seriously since it enhances their professionally capacity. Dr. Macharia said that the mode is now the way to go since it improves the capacity of teachers.
She divulged that even the African union embraces the module adding that it is now a requirement in other countries.
But Awange said they will not allow any teacher to be victimized on the premise that he or she failed the module.
The official at the same time opposed the mandatory drug tests on students.
He said the practice is against the law and is also a subject used by wealthy parents to manipulate the system.
“Parents who have a lot of money can easily maneuver their ways and secure a drug free certificate” he said.
He said there is tension already in learning institutions where the procedure has been carried out, adding that students are now at a critical time where things such as drug tests should be put aside.
He noted that unrests were pure administrative issues arguing that school heads who have failed should be removed.
Awange said key stakeholders within the education sector should stop blame games during times of turmoil.
He said it is the responsibility of parents, teachers and other stakeholders to mentor students.
Awange said there is drop in moral values since students have been left to do whatever they want.
He lamented that subjects such as Christian Religious Education which should have been compulsory have now been made optional to the detriment of the general wellbeing of students in schools and at home, adding that schools should have chaplains and imams in order to counsel students.
He called for soberness in implementation of the CBC programme, saying that there should be a critical review against past systems.
Awange said all stakeholders should be involved in the entire process.
