Knut desires that dismissed teachers receive their benefits.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) requests the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to annul a regulation that forbids interdicted and dismissed teachers from obtaining their benefits.
Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu states that the union will advocate for TSC to rescind the regulation to guarantee that dismissed teachers are paid what they are owed.
The union additionally seeks for teachers to receive greater benefits for their services.
Mr. Oyuu asserted that employees’ retirement benefits should not depend on their conduct.
While addressing members at Kibaoni Primary School during a gathering, he mentioned that an employee’s behavior is unrelated to their benefits when leaving service.
“If you err and you have been interdicted and terminated, the TSC Act and the Code of Regulations for Teachers prevent you from receiving any payment. You will simply go home,” Mr. Oyuu remarked.
“In our union’s recommendation, if you are terminated for any reason, your conduct has no bearing on your benefits. Whether you have harmed someone or whatever the situation may be… the bottom line is that you worked for TSC for several years,” said the secretary-general.
He indicated that TSC should compensate dismissed teachers based on their years of service.
Simultaneously, he called upon the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee to increase funding for TSC for promotions and hiring additional teachers.
Mr. Oyuu advised teachers in grades C2 and C3 who are acting as head teachers or deputies not to anticipate promotions under the existing structure.
“Some of our head teachers who have been serving in acting roles were not interviewed by TSC. If a teacher does not meet the necessary grade to act and be considered for an interview for administrative promotions…those in C2 and C3 should forget about promotions; you are wasting your time. Just teach, cease acting,” he said in a meeting with union officials in Kilifi.
The union representative mentioned that some teachers have received letters from TSC to serve as head teachers or deputies but are not considered for promotions when interviews are announced.
“They will inform you no since your grade is not sufficient. Be courageous. If your grade does not qualify you for an interview for the position you are acting in, return those letters and continue teaching. Do not be misled,” he advised.
“When you are acting and you do not qualify for an interview, you will remain disheartened. We have numerous teachers who can act but are not in those acting roles. Allow TSC to select teachers qualified to attend those interviews for promotions to administrative positions. Do not remain in those roles for appearances; you will be disheartened when the time comes,” Mr. Oyuu stated.