KNUT Wants TSC To Reverse Punitive Teacher Transfers As Meeting Over Promotion And Delocolisation Nears.
KNUT Calls For Reversal Of Punitive Teacher Transfers As Meeting Day With TSC Over Delocolisation Nears
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) is now calling for the reversal of punitive teacher transfers.
While teachers can be transferred for a variety of reasons, including administrative or on request, some previous transfers have been punitive, according to Union Secretary-General Collins Oyuu.
“These transfers must not be punitive by any standards. Teachers should always feel there is the genuine reason they are being moved from one station to another,’’ said Mr Oyuu.
Oyuu noted that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should ensure that those who are transferred are transferred to places where they can work and produce results, not places where they feel punished.
Oyuu, who stated that some teachers had written to Knut about the punitive transfers, also stated that a meeting between the union and TSC to discuss the transfers had been scheduled.
He claimed that the delocalisation policy had an impact on married teachers. According to Oyuu, the issue was discussed in the 2021-2025 CBA.
“All our members who feel aggrieved by this policy shall be assisted to have them work close to their families and spouses. This must not attract any argument since it is espoused in the running CBA. We wish to invite affected members to reach out to us for support,” the Knut boss said.
Speaking in Nairobi yesterday, a Knut official stated that public support is required for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to succeed.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia
In terms of teacher shortages, Oyuu stated that there are 84,000 in primary schools and 12,000 in secondary schools.
To address the teacher shortage, Oyuu stated that the country requires 100,000 additional teachers. He claims that only 5,000 people are hired each year.
Oyuu noted that Parliament has the authority to demand that funds be properly appropriated so that more teachers can be hired.
“We can move fast and have 20,000 teachers employed annually,’’ he said.
He blamed workload for some teachers’ poor mental health.
According to the KNUT SG, there has been a lack of discipline in primary and secondary schools in recent years. Oyuu attributes this to the pressure on a small number of teachers who are unable to meet the expectations of society and learners in terms of quality and access.
He stated that there is a need to build more schools and hire more teachers in order to ensure quality, affordable, and accessible education.
In terms of promotions, Knut urged the commission to make its promotion criteria public.
The union requested that TSC ensure that teachers are promoted based on merit and after upgrading their qualifications.
KNUT says the commission needs to make its promotion procedures and requirements clear so that teachers know who is promoted, when, and how.
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“We want to call upon the employer to make its promotion guidelines clear so that we are aware when it is being done or when opportunities are available,” he added.
Oyuu stated that promotions should be made in advance to avoid situations in which some schools operate without heads or deputy heads.
KNUT Wants TSC To Reverse Punitive Teacher Transfers As Meeting Over Promotion And Delocolisation Nears
