KNUT calls on TSC to carry out a fair teacher recruitment
The Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Collins Oyuu, has urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to uphold its autonomy, mandate, and integrity in the process of recruiting teachers for public institutions.
He cautioned against political interference which he asserted has tainted the process.
Speaking at a Sunday church service at Chepkogonyo Deliverance Church in Bomet County, Oyuu conveyed his worries regarding how the recent teacher recruitment exercise was managed, attributing some of the blame to certain politicians for inappropriate meddling in what is otherwise a clear and constitutional duty of the TSC.
Oyuu claimed that some politicians across the nation were brazenly distributing TSC employment letters during funerals and political events, disregarding the traditionally established criteria, in an effort to gain political advantage, which is likely to tarnish the integrity of the teaching profession.
“The most recent teacher recruitment wasn’t conducted justly. Politicians were handing out TSC letters at funerals and barazas to gain political advantage and as a union, we feel the pain when our teachers are hired under ambiguous and questionable situations. The entire procedure leaves more questions than answers,” Oyuu remarked.
The union leader pointed out that such conduct not only undermined the credibility of the TSC but also caused unnecessary anxiety and distress for desperate job seekers.
Oyuu mentioned that KNUT secretaries from all counties have been receiving feedback from young and jobless graduate teachers who were unfairly treated and discriminated against by politicians focused solely on rewarding their supporters while distributing the letters, paying no attention to merit or graduation seniority.
He asserted that the distribution of TSC teacher recruitment forms was fraught with irregularities, and some recipients were reportedly compelled to sell their property to gather funds to purchase the forms from unscrupulous individuals.
“We have received alarming reports of young graduates and their families selling land to obtain TSC forms that were reportedly being auctioned, and this situation is unacceptable,” he noted.
Oyuu additionally stressed that KNUT had compiled adequate evidence of irregularities in the recruitment process and was prepared to submit the findings to the TSC if requested.
“We are ready to present evidence if necessary. It is high time the TSC reviews its processes and guarantees transparency throughout the entire procedure,” he remarked.
The KNUT Secretary General further appealed to the commission to strictly adhere to official recruitment protocols, such as prioritizing the year of graduation and other merit-based criteria, instead of permitting outside influences to manipulate and compromise the process.
“Let employment be determined by merit and fairness. The correct guidelines should be followed, including graduation year and academic qualifications,” Oyuu stated.
His statements coincide with the TSC’s announcement of plans to recruit 20,000 additional teachers by July this year to tackle the severe shortage of educators throughout the country.
However, Oyuu maintained that unless TSC remains transparent by adhering to its mandate, such efforts will be in vain.
“We urge TSC to demonstrate transparency in the forthcoming recruitment by refraining from involving politicians who aren’t recruitment agents in distributing the appointment letters. Let them regain the confidence of the teaching community and the public as it was,” he stated.
The issues raised by the KNUT leader regarding the recent participation of politicians and other individuals who aren’t TSC agents in teacher recruitment have since garnered public attention and are expected to attract scrutiny in the upcoming TSC recruitment drive.
