Kuppet Condemns Parliament for Dismissing Promotion of 25,000 Teachers, Warns TSC Autonomy in Jeopardy
Personnel from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Vihiga branch, have vehemently disagreed with the National Assembly Education Committee’s decision to annul the promotion of over 25,000 teachers, accusing Parliament of overstepping its authority and violating the independence of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Headed by Branch Secretary General Sabala Inyeni, the officials characterized the decision as unlawful and detrimental to the morale and professional growth of educators. Inyeni contended that Members of Parliament did not possess the requisite authority or professional capabilities to assess eligibility for teacher promotions.
The promotions, affecting 25,252 teachers across the country, were initiated by the TSC and forwarded for examination by the National Assembly Education Committee. This sparked discussion in Parliament, as legislators questioned the criteria for selection and the geographic distribution of the promoted teachers.
Last week, the Committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Meli, expressed concerns about what they perceived as bias, favoritism, and the advancement of inadequately qualified individuals. They also criticized the seemingly uniform allocation of promotion positions, implying that the process overlooked demographic and historical disparities.
In light of the criticism, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia defended the promotion process, asserting that it was based on legal and professional frameworks, including Regulation 73 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers, the Career Progression Guidelines, and the Policy on Selection and Appointment of Institutional Administrators.
Simultaneously, KUPPET Vihiga officials accused certain MPs of manipulating the teacher recruitment and promotion process for political gain, especially in advance of upcoming election campaigns. Inyeni alleged that some legislators had been distributing employment letters from the TSC within their constituencies, thus politicizing a process that should remain objective and professional.
KUPPET Calls for Emphasis on Funding, Not Regulation
The union has called on the National Assembly to redirect its focus towards enhancing budgetary support for the education sector, especially for the TSC. Inyeni stated that Parliament should enable promotions for additional teachers, including those who were interviewed but not promoted.
KUPPET officials cautioned that ongoing political interference in hiring and promotion could undermine the progress achieved in Kenya’s education sector. They also warned of potential mobilization against MPs engaged in what they termed irregular and unlawful practices.
Despite the Vihiga branch’s strong opposition, KUPPET National Chairman and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba voiced support for the Education Committee’s position.
He noted that Parliament had been requested to suspend the promotions due to what he referred to as an unfair allocation process. Milemba called for an inquiry into how the TSC allocated funds provided by Parliament, emphasizing the necessity for equitable resource distribution.
Kuppet Condemns Parliament for Dismissing Promotion of 25,000 Teachers, Warns TSC Autonomy in Jeopardy
