TSC Addresses Promotions Controversy, Encourages Collaborative Progress
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) released a statement today defending the recent promotion of 25,000 teachers who are now facing heightened scrutiny and criticism from various stakeholders, including Parliament and teacher unions.
The Commission asserted that the process was conducted with fairness and transparency.
During her speech at the Kenya National Schools Principals Forum in Mombasa, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia addressed the issue for the first time, expressing her desire for dialogue to resolve all concerns.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to maintaining integrity and ensuring that deserving qualified teachers receive recognition.
According to Dr. Macharia, TSC has implemented several service delivery reforms aimed at enhancing its service delivery, particularly in school management throughout the country.
She noted that the normal promotions were part of broader efforts to acknowledge professionalism and work ethic among individuals in this profession.
Nonetheless, the promotion has faced significant criticism, particularly from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). In a statement, KUPPET’s acting secretary general, Moses Nthurima, voiced concerns about fairness in the distribution of promotion slots.
He pointed out that the allocation of promotion slots across counties does not consider the teacher populations in each area, as some counties will receive the same number of promotions despite considerable differences in teacher workforce size.
Nthurima also asserted that some of the promoted teachers lack substantial experience compared to their peers, raising suspicions of political interference.
He questioned the transparency of the process and criticized the commission for not consulting with unions before finalizing the list.
In response, Dr. Macharia strongly refuted claims of political influence, stating that she does not participate in political events or engage in such matters.
She maintained that the promotions were based on merit and aligned with government policy aimed at decentralizing recruitment and creating equitable opportunities across regions.
TSC urged the involved parties to engage in constructive dialogue to ensure the teaching sector remains focused on enhancing education standards.
Dr. Macharia expressed hope that an agreement would be reached soon, allowing the promoted teachers to take on their new roles without any additional delays.