Kuppet Slams Parliament for Dismissing 25,000 Teacher Promotions, Says TSC Independence Imperiled
Vihiga branch officials of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have vehemently disagreed with the National Assembly Education Committee’s decision to nullify the promotion of more than 25,000 teachers. They accuse Parliament of overstepping its authority and violating the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) independence.
The officials, who were led by Branch Secretary General Sabala Inyeni, called the choice illegal and detrimental to teachers’ morale and professional development. Inyeni stated that Members of Parliament do not have the authority or the professional expertise to assess eligibility for teacher promotions.
The TSC implemented the promotions, which affect 25,252 teachers across the country, and presented them to the National Assembly Education Committee for review. This sparked a discussion in Parliament, with lawmakers raising concerns about the teachers’ selection criteria and geographic distribution.
The Committee, which is led by Tinderet MP Julius Meli, expressed worry last week over what they saw as prejudice, favoritism, and the promotion of unqualified people. They also questioned the apparent uniformity of promotion slots, alleging that the process disregarded historical and demographic disparities.
In response to the criticism, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia upheld the promotion procedure, emphasizing that it was based on professional and legal frameworks, such as Regulation 73 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers, the Career Progression Guidelines, and the Policy on Selection and Appointment of Institutional Administrators.
KUPPET Vihiga officials, on the other hand, claimed that some Members of Parliament were using the teacher recruitment and promotion procedure as a means of gaining political advantage, especially in advance of upcoming election campaigns. Inyeni stated that certain lawmakers had been politicizing a process that should be professional and unbiased by handing out employment letters from the TSC in their electoral districts.
KUPPET Calls for a Focus on Funding Rather than Control
The union has called on the National Assembly to concentrate its efforts on boosting financial support for the education sector, especially for the TSC. Inyeni stated that Parliament should enable the promotion of additional teachers, including those who were interviewed but not selected.
KUPPET officials cautioned that continued political interference in promotions and hiring could undo the advances made in Kenya’s education system. Additionally, they warned that they would rally against Members of Parliament who engaged in what they termed unlawful and irregular conduct.
KUPPET National Chairman and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba backed the Education Committee’s position, notwithstanding the Vihiga branch’s vehement opposition.
He claimed that Parliament had been asked to stop the promotions because of what he termed an unfair allocation method. Milemba emphasized the necessity of equitable resource distribution and demanded an inquiry into how the TSC spent the money given by Parliament.
Kuppet Slams Parliament for Refusing to Promote 25,000 Teachers, Warns TSC Independence in Jeopardy
