Kuppet Criticizes Parliament for Rejecting Promotion of 25,000 Teachers

Kuppet Criticizes Parliament for Rejecting Promotion of 25,000 Teachers, Says TSC Independence at Risk

Officials from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Vihiga branch, have vocally opposed the National Assembly Education Committee’s decision to annul the promotion of over 25,000 teachers, accusing Parliament of overstepping its boundaries and violating the independence of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Under the leadership of Branch Secretary General Sabala Inyeni, the officials condemned the decision as illegal and damaging to the morale and career progression of educators. Inyeni claimed that Members of Parliament did not possess the authority or professional qualifications to assess eligibility for teacher promotions.

The promotions, affecting 25,252 teachers nationally, were initiated by the TSC and put forward for examination by the National Assembly Education Committee. This incited discussion within Parliament, with legislators questioning the criteria for selection and the regional distribution of those promoted.

Last week, the Committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Meli, expressed concerns regarding what they viewed as bias, favoritism, and the promotion of inadequately qualified individuals. They also lamented the seemingly equal distribution of promotion slots, implying that the process failed to consider demographic and historical disparities.

In response to the criticism, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia justified the promotion process, asserting that it was grounded in legal and professional standards, 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 anticipation of future electoral contests. Inyeni alleged that some legislators had been handing out employment letters from the TSC within their jurisdictions, thus politicizing a process that should be professional and unbiased.

KUPPET Urges Focus on Funding, Not Control

The union has called on the National Assembly to redirect its focus toward increasing budgetary provisions for the education sector, particularly for the TSC. Inyeni mentioned that Parliament ought to enable promotions for more teachers, including those who were interviewed but not selected.

KUPPET officials cautioned that ongoing political interference in hiring and promotion threatens to undo progress made in Kenya’s education sector. They further warned that they would rally against MPs involved in what they referred to as irregular and unlawful practices.

Despite the strong opposition from the Vihiga branch, KUPPET National Chairman and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba expressed his support for the position of the Education Committee.

He stated that Parliament had been asked to suspend the promotions due to what he described as an unjust allocation method. Milemba advocated for an inquiry into how the TSC allocated funds provided by Parliament, emphasizing the necessity for equitable resource distribution.

Kuppet Criticizes Parliament for Rejecting Promotion of 25,000 Teachers, Says TSC Independence at Risk