“Fair and Square”: TSC Stands by Promotion of 25,000 Teachers After Parliament Pushback
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has strongly defended its recent promotion of 25,000 teachers, after Parliament’s choice to reject the exercise due to concerns regarding fairness and transparency. Regardless of this setback, the Commission asserts that the process met all legal and procedural guidelines and was executed in a fair and merit-based manner.
According to the TSC, the promotions were executed through a rigorous and transparent process that included clear criteria, such as performance evaluations, years of service, and qualifications. In a statement released earlier this week, TSC affirmed that the process was consistent with both the Teachers Service Commission Act and relevant Public Service regulations.
“The Commission wishes to reassure the public and all stakeholders that the recent promotions were conducted with the highest integrity, professionalism, and in strict adherence to the existing policies and frameworks,” stated TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia. “We are dedicated to ensuring that deserving teachers are acknowledged and provided with opportunities for career advancement. ”
However, Members of Parliament, particularly those from the Education and Public Accounts Committees, expressed objections to the process. They pointed out concerns over alleged favoritism, insufficient regional balance, and lack of adequate stakeholder consultation. The legislators called for a comprehensive audit of the promotion criteria and requested a review to guarantee inclusivity and transparency.
The rejection by Parliament has ignited a national discussion, with teachers’ unions and civil society groups joining in. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called for dialogue between TSC and Parliament to address the deadlock, warning that ongoing disputes could demoralize teachers and disrupt learning in public schools.
“This is an issue that directly impacts the morale of thousands of teachers across the nation,” said KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu. “We encourage both TSC and Parliament to come together and seek a resolution in the best interest of the education sector. ”
Meanwhile, TSC has shown eagerness to engage with lawmakers and other stakeholders to address the concerns raised and enhance future processes. Nevertheless, it maintains that the promotions were essential not only to fill leadership voids in schools but also as a move towards improving the quality of education in Kenya.
The future of the 25,000 promoted teachers remains ambiguous as discussions between the Commission and Parliament progress. Stakeholders are now closely observing how the deadlock will be resolved and what effects it will have on the ongoing education reforms in the country.
