“Fair and Square”: TSC Defends Promotion of 25,000 Teachers After Parliament Pushback
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has strongly defended its recent promotion of 25,000 teachers, in light of Parliament’s decision to dismiss the exercise due to concerns regarding fairness and transparency. In spite of this challenge, the Commission asserts that the process followed all legal and procedural standards and was executed in a fair and merit-based manner.
As stated by the TSC, the promotions were implemented through a thorough and transparent process that considered clear criteria, including performance evaluations, years of service, and qualifications. In a statement released earlier this week, TSC maintained that the process was in accordance with both the Teachers Service Commission Act and relevant Public Service regulations.
“The Commission wants to assure the public and all stakeholders that the recent promotions were carried out with complete integrity, professionalism, and in strict adherence to the existing policies and frameworks,” stated TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia. “We are dedicated to ensuring that deserving teachers receive recognition and opportunities for career growth. ”
Nevertheless, Members of Parliament, especially those from the Education and Public Accounts Committees, expressed objections to the process. They highlighted concerns regarding alleged favoritism, insufficient regional balance, and a lack of stakeholder consultation. The lawmakers requested a comprehensive audit of the promotion criteria and advocated for a review to guarantee inclusivity and transparency.
The rejection by Parliament has ignited a national discussion, with teachers’ unions and civil society groups weighing in. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called for dialogue between TSC and Parliament to address the stalemate, cautioning that ongoing disputes could undermine teacher morale and disrupt learning in public schools.
“This issue directly impacts the morale of thousands of teachers throughout the nation,” remarked KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu. “We urge both TSC and Parliament to come together and seek a resolution that is in the best interest of the education sector. ”
Meanwhile, TSC has shown a readiness to engage with lawmakers and other stakeholders to clarify the concerns raised and enhance future processes. However, it remains steadfast that the promotions were not only essential to address leadership shortages in schools but also represented a move towards improving the quality of education in Kenya.
The outcome for the 25,000 promoted teachers remains unclear as discussions between the Commission and Parliament persist. Stakeholders are now closely monitoring how the stalemate will be resolved and what consequences it will bear on the ongoing education reforms in the country.