“Fair and Square”: TSC Defends Its Promotion of 25,000 Teachers Following Parliamentary Opposition
Following Parliament’s decision to reject the exercise due to fairness and transparency issues, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has steadfastly defended its recent promotion of 25,000 instructors. The Commission maintains that, in spite of this setback, the procedure followed all legal and procedural guidelines and was carried out in a fair and merit-based way.
The TSC stated that the promotions were made through a fair and transparent procedure that considered precise factors such as performance assessments, years of experience, and credentials. TSC asserted in a statement released earlier this week that the procedure complied with the Teachers Service Commission Act as well as any applicable Public Service standards.
“The Commission would like to reassure the public and all stakeholders that the recent promotions were carried out with the highest integrity, professionalism, and in full accordance with the current policies and frameworks,” said TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia. “We are committed to ensuring that deserving teachers are recognized and given opportunities for career advancement.”
The procedure was, however, opposed by Members of Parliament, notably those on the Education and Public Accounts Committees. They mentioned worries about supposed favoritism, a lack of regional balance, and insufficient stakeholder input. In order to guarantee inclusivity and transparency, the lawmakers demanded a thorough audit of the promotional standards and asked for a review.
Parliament’s rejection has sparked a national debate in which teachers’ unions and organizations in civil society are participating. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called for a conversation between TSC and Parliament to break the deadlock, warning that ongoing disagreements might demoralize teachers and disrupt education in public schools.
“This is a matter that directly affects the morale of thousands of teachers across the country,” said KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu. “We urge both TSC and Parliament to come to the table and find a resolution in the best interest of the education sector.”
The TSC, on the other hand, has shown a willingness to collaborate with lawmakers and other parties in order to address the issues raised and enhance procedures for the future. Nevertheless, it still holds that the promotions were essential in addressing leadership shortages in schools as well as in improving the caliber of education in Kenya.
As the Commission and Parliament continue their discussions, the future of the 25,000 promoted teachers is still up in the air. Stakeholders are now paying attention to how the stalemate will be broken and what consequences it will have on the nation’s current educational changes.