The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to be equitable and considerate during the recruitment of teachers in the nation. This call comes in light of the recent controversy regarding the promotion of 25,252 teachers.
During a press conference on Saturday, April 19, the KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu remarked that the commission should give precedence to hiring teachers who finished their college education earlier than more recent graduates.
“The commission has to be just and compassionate. The idea of selecting a teacher who graduated from teachers college in 2023 while ignoring those who graduated in 2010 raises more questions than it answers,” he stated.
“And as a union, we must make it clear that fairness is essential in employment, as we have teachers who are over 50 years old; what will happen to them? Because they are still out there, they need to be employed,” he mentioned.
The SG also stated that the political class ought to respect the commission’s independence, which he highlighted has been slow in fulfilling its responsibilities, and avoid interfering in the recruitment of teachers nationwide. This appeal follows reports that the State House has been involved in swaying the promotion and recruitment of teachers, contrary to the laws that grant TSC the exclusive authority to hire and manage teachers.
“The Teachers Service Commission has, to a certain extent, relinquished its role and shared function in teacher employment,” he noted.
“We cannot oppose the president’s executive powers to employ teachers, but the way these forms are distributed by certain politicians raises questions; yes, assistance is welcome, but it must be done fairly,” he remarked.
Oyuu’s comments come shortly after the union requested the prompt release of the Ksh64 billion in capitation funds that has accumulated to assist the already struggling education sector.
KNUT emphasized that the delay in these funds has significantly hindered institution heads from managing and running schools effectively.
In remarks made on Monday, March 3, Oyuu pointed out that the delay is the main reason some heads of institutions are choosing to send students home even before the official closing dates.
“Why must capitation be delayed? How do you expect heads of institutions to run schools? Because you cannot use your personal funds to manage schools. Often, when we hear of heads of institutions and principals sending learners home early or for periods, we understand the reasons,” he explained.
“It is risky to keep learners in schools without capitation. And for those heads who are prudent enough to avoid strikes in schools, I believe they are doing their utmost,” he added.
