TSC Addresses Promotions Controversy, Pushes for a Collaborative Resolution
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) released a statement today supporting the recent promotion of 25,000 teachers now facing heightened scrutiny and criticism from multiple stakeholders, including Parliament and teacher unions.
The Commission asserted that the process was conducted with fairness and transparency.
During her remarks at the graduation of TSC at the Kenya National Schools Principals Forum in Mombasa, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia addressed the issue for the first time, expressing hope that dialogue would resolve all concerns.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to maintaining integrity and ensuring that deserving qualified teachers receive recognition.
According to Dr. Macharia, TSC has implemented various service delivery reforms aimed at enhancing its service delivery, particularly in the management of schools nationwide.
She noted that the standard promotions were part of broader efforts to acknowledge professionalism and work ethic among professionals in this field.
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, expressed concerns regarding the fairness of the distribution allocation.
He pointed out that the allocation of promotion slots across counties does not consider the teacher populations in each, as some counties will receive the same number of promotions despite large discrepancies in teacher workforce sizes.
Nthurima also alleged that some of the promoted teachers possess a significant experience deficit compared to their colleagues, raising suspicions of political interference.
He questioned the transparency of the process and condemned the Commission for failing to consult with unions prior to finalizing the promotion list.
For her part, Dr. Macharia firmly rejected claims of political influence, stating that she does not attend political functions or engage in such matters.
She emphasized that the promotions were based on merit and aligned with government policy to decentralize recruitment and establish equal opportunities across regions.
TSC urged all parties involved to participate in constructive dialogue so that the teaching sector does not lose sight of enhancing education standards.
Dr. Macharia expressed optimism that a consensus would emerge soon, permitting promoted teachers to take on their new roles without any further delays.