KNUT urges TSC to undertake a fair teacher recruitment
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General, Collins Oyuu, has appealed to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to preserve its autonomy, responsibilities, and integrity in the recruitment of educators for public institutions.
He cautioned against political involvement, which he asserted had tainted the process.
Speaking during a Sunday church service at Chepkogonyo Deliverance Church in Bomet County, Oyuu articulated his apprehension regarding the manner in which the recent teacher recruitment initiative was executed, attributing undue interference to certain politicians, which compromised the clear and constitutional mandate of the TSC.
Oyuu asserted that some politicians nationwide were openly distributing TSC employment letters during funerals and political gatherings, disregarding the established criteria, in an effort to gain political advantage, which is likely to undermine the integrity of the teaching profession.
“The last teacher recruitment wasn’t conducted fairly. Politicians were distributing TSC letters at funerals and barazas to gain political advantage, and as a union, we experience the distress when our teachers are appointed under ambiguous and questionable circumstances. The entire process raises more questions than it provides answers,” Oyuu remarked.
The union leader observed that such actions not only weakened the credibility of the TSC but also subjected desperate job seekers to unnecessary anxiety and distress.
Oyuu stated that KNUT secretaries across all counties had been receiving grievances from young and unemployed graduate teachers who had been treated unjustly and discriminated against by the politicians who were solely focused on rewarding their supporters while distributing the letters, without consideration for merit or seniority in the year of graduation.
He alleged that the distribution of TSC teacher recruitment forms was fraught with irregularities, and some beneficiaries were reportedly compelled to sell their properties to procure funds to buy the forms from unscrupulous individuals.
“We have received alarming reports of young graduates and their families selling land to purchase TSC forms that were allegedly being auctioned, and this is intolerable,” he stated.
Oyuu further insisted that KNUT had amassed ample evidence of irregularities in the recruitment process and was prepared to present the findings to the TSC if requested.
“We are ready to present evidence if necessary. It is crucial for the TSC to scrutinize its procedures and ensure transparency throughout the entire exercise,” he asserted.
The KNUT Secretary General further urged the commission to strictly adhere to official recruitment protocols, such as prioritizing the year of graduation and other merit-based criteria, rather than permitting external influences to manipulate and compromise the process.
“Let employment decisions be grounded in merit and fairness. The proper guidelines should be adhered to, including graduation year and academic qualifications,” Oyuu stated.
His comments arise at a time when the TSC has announced plans to recruit 20,000 additional teachers by July this year in an effort to address the significant shortage of educators nationwide.
However, Oyuu maintained that unless transparency is sustained by TSC adhering to its mandate, such endeavors will be futile.
“We urge TSC to demonstrate transparency in the forthcoming recruitment by refraining from involving politicians who are not recruitment agents in the issuance of appointment letters. They should restore the confidence of the teaching fraternity and the public as was previously the case,” he stated.
The issues highlighted by the KNUT leader concerning the recent participation of politicians and other individuals who are not agents of the TSC in teacher recruitment have since generated public interest and are likely to draw scrutiny in the upcoming TSC recruitment initiative.