Consider P1 teachers first in next recruitment, KNUT tells TSC
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kipkelion branch, is urging the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to prioritize Primary Teacher 1 teachers in the forthcoming recruitment process.
Branch Secretary David Bore voiced his concern that numerous qualified P1 teachers have been overlooked for years despite their commitment and contributions to the education sector.
While speaking in Kipkelion, Bore called on TSC to take into account these teachers who, he remarked, have been unemployed or underemployed for an extended period.
“P1 teachers are the foundation of primary education, particularly in lower classes. It is unjust to exclude them while hiring diploma holders for the same roles. TSC must rectify this disparity,” he stated.
He highlighted that equitable recruitment methods would enhance morale and resolve teacher shortages in local institutions. He expressed worries regarding the increasing trend of politicians issuing appointment letters to newly recruited teachers, asserting that it compromises TSC’s autonomy.
“The matter of employment is generating significant concern within KNUT. The TSC is an independent commission by law. It possesses the authority to recruit teachers for the teaching service. It is troubling that the TSC has relinquished this responsibility,” Bore lamented.
Bore stressed that the TSC’s primary responsibility is the recruitment and allocation of teachers, and political interference undermines transparency and fairness.
The union also called for a clear, professional recruitment procedure that adheres to the law and guarantees equity for all qualified educators, cautioning that any form of irregularity will not be accepted.