Tensions as Ministry of Education Snubs TSC Meeting on Law Review
The Ministry of Education’s absence at a crucial stakeholders meeting on the amendment of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Act has underscored the widening gap between the ministry and the TSC.
Led by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, the ministry’s failure to attend the meeting signals a significant escalation in the ongoing turf wars between the two entities.
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Stakeholders, including Janet Ouko representing the Tunza Mtoto Coalition, have criticized the ministry’s absence, emphasizing the detrimental effect it could have on the education sector.
Ouko labeled the ministry’s non-representation as “shameful,” stressing the importance of collaboration between the ministry and the TSC.
The proposed amendments to the TSC Act, outlined in the TSC Amendment Bill 2024, have sparked controversy.
While some view the changes as a positive step towards enhancing the professionalization of the teaching profession, others express concerns that it may grant excessive powers to the TSC.
Amidst the controversy, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) boycotted the meeting, denouncing the proposals as “punitive.”
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Conversely, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) attended, with Kuppet National Chairman Omboko Milemba cautioning against further empowering the TSC.
Milemba highlighted reservations regarding proposals granting the TSC regulatory authority over teachers and control over their continuous professional development (CPD).
He emphasized the need for a clear separation of powers and urged for broader stakeholder engagement in formulating regulatory roles.
Meanwhile, Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori raised concerns about the silence on union involvement in salary negotiations and questioned the financing of CPD programs.
Misori also criticized the proposal’s lack of clarity regarding the disciplinary process for teachers.
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At the meeting, the issue of teacher disciplinary processes took center stage, with various stakeholders expressing dissatisfaction with TSC’s procedures.
While some supported the proposed amendments, others called for inclusion of special needs institutions in basic education and provision of a reward system for exemplary teachers.
In summary, the stakeholders’ meeting highlighted deep-seated tensions between the Ministry of Education and the TSC, with divergent views on the proposed amendments to the TSC Act.
Concerns ranged from the concentration of power in the TSC to the absence of union involvement in decision-making processes and the need for clarity on disciplinary procedures and teacher development programs.
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Tensions as Ministry of Education Snubs TSC Meeting on Law Review
