KNUT Puts TSC Under Scrutiny, Demands Teacher Promotions
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General, Collins Oyuu, has emphasized that teachers will not perform duties as acting heads or deputies for more than six months without receiving their entitled acting allowances.
Oyuu highlighted the necessity for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to compensate teachers assigned such roles in other schools or their current stations.
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During a press conference in Kisumu on Thursday, Oyuu expressed concern that the commission was reassigning teachers to act as heads or deputies without providing compensation for their time in service.
He cited an example of a teacher who served as a head teacher for three years without receiving any allowances before being absorbed, emphasizing that this practice is in violation of labor laws.
Oyuu insisted that teachers should be promoted based on their qualifications, regardless of whether the TSC has the funds to immediately pay them. He urged TSC not to halt promotions due to budget constraints but rather promote teachers and compensate them when funds become available.
The Knut Secretary General called for Parliament to allocate funds to expedite the promotion of teachers, asserting that the automatic promotion system should be implemented with a defined trial period to assess its sustainability. He mentioned that if successful, the program would prevent teachers’ stagnation in their current job groups.
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The TSC’s new ranking system, based on efficiency and time spent instructing, is expected to benefit teachers by saving time and ensuring career advancement. Oyuu highlighted that both commitment and effort at work will be crucial factors in promotions, providing financial compensation for hardworking teachers.
In response to Knut’s claims, the National Education Committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, has demanded details on the number of teachers serving in acting capacities for more than six months.
The committee also requested a comprehensive proposal from Knut to guide teacher promotions, including financial implications and the situation of teachers acting as heads without benefiting from salary hikes.
Collaborating with the TSC, Oyuu stated that efforts are underway to determine the exact number of teachers affected by these issues.
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KNUT Puts TSC Under Scrutiny, Demands Teacher Promotions
