TSC told to conduct teachers’ hiring process in Kenya with fairness and compassion

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been urged by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) to conduct the teacher hiring process in Kenya with fairness and compassion. This is in the midst of controversy over the recent promotion of 25,252 teachers.

In a press conference on Saturday, April 19, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated that the commission should give priority to hiring teachers who graduated from college earlier than those who just graduated.

“The commission must be impartial and humane. “Choosing a teacher who graduated from teachers college in 2023 and leaving those who graduated in 2010 raises more questions than it answers,” he stated.

“And as a union, we must state categorically that even in employment, you must be very fair, because we have teachers who are over 50 years old; where will they go? Because they are still out there, they must be employed,” he stated.

The SG has also stated that the political class should refrain from meddling with the recruitment of teachers in the nation and respect the commission’s independence, which he observed has been slow in carrying out its mandate. The plea comes after it was discovered that the State House has been attempting to influence the recruitment and promotion of teachers, in violation of the laws that grant the TSC exclusive authority over hiring and managing teachers.

“He stated that “the Teachers Service Commission has, to some level, abdicated its role and co-function of employment of teachers.”

“We cannot object to the executive powers of the president of this country to employ teachers, but how these forms are distributed by some politicians leaves some questions,” he stated. “Yes, you can assist, but you must be fair.”

The union’s call for the immediate release of the Ksh64 billion accumulated capitation funds to help the already distressed education sector came days before Oyuu’s sentiments.

KNUT emphasized that the delay in these funds has significantly impeded heads of institutions from efficiently managing and operating their schools.

Oyuu stated Monday, March 3, that the fact that some school leaders are choosing to send students home even before the official closing dates is primarily due to the delay.

“Why should capitation be delayed? How do you expect school leaders to run schools? They cannot use their personal funds to do so.” “Sometimes we know the reasons when we hear heads of institutions and principals sending students home early or for a little period,” he said.

“It is unsafe to retain students in schools without capitation. And I believe those individuals are doing their utmost to avoid assaults in schools,” he continued.