Senators call for probe into "flawed" teacher promotions by TSC

The Senate has called for an urgent probe into the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over claims of unfair promotions of teachers, joining Members of Parliament in questioning the transparency and fairness of the exercise.

The Senators criticised the commission’s leadership, describing it as “the headquarters of corruption,” and demanded a clear explanation for how 25,252 teachers were selected for promotion across the country.

The Senate’s demand follows growing discontent over what many see as a flawed process. MPs had earlier raised concerns that the promotion criteria were not clear and seemed to favour some regions while overlooking others, particularly in counties with larger populations.

Now, senators are echoing these concerns and calling for a full investigation into how the promotions were handled.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka led the calls, insisting that the TSC must be pressed to demonstrate whether it followed principles of merit, fairness, and inclusivity in promoting teachers.

He demanded that the agency reveal how it determined the distribution model, especially why some densely populated counties received fewer promotions despite having more teachers.

“The Education committee must inquire and report to this House why long-serving teachers with higher academic qualifications and graduates were either bypassed, while younger teachers with fewer qualifications and years of experience were promoted during the exercise and if so, the justification for the same,” Onyonka said.

Senators also want the TSC to explain whether an appeal mechanism was put in place for aggrieved teachers and how many complaints have been lodged and resolved so far.

Transparency

According to them, transparency in handling these complaints will be crucial to restoring trust among teachers who feel left out.

The Senate Education Committee, led by nominated Senator Betty Montet, is tasked with investigating the matter further.

They are expected to hold the TSC accountable and demand answers regarding the steps the commission is taking to promote fairness and transparency, especially in addressing the issue of career stagnation, which has affected many teachers over the years.

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri joined the calls for action, painting a grim picture of the situation at the commission.

She claimed that some TSC officials were soliciting bribes from struggling teachers desperate for promotion.

“In the just-concluded exercise, we have teachers who have been in the service for over 17 years but were not promoted. On the other hand, we have teachers who have just served for one year and were promoted. How can one explain that? I will use the words of a trade unionist by the name of Benjamin Burombo. He said that ‘when I am fighting for African rights, the other hand is busy keeping away Africans who are fighting me,” she stated.

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Senator Okenyuri did not hold back, labelling the leadership at the TSC as “corrupt to the core” and calling for a complete overhaul to restore integrity at the agency.

Her sentiments echoed those of many Senators who believe that unless urgent reforms are implemented, the credibility of future promotions will remain in question.

The growing frustration among legislators underscores the depth of dissatisfaction with the TSC’s management of teacher promotions.

Senators are now pushing for concrete answers and action to ensure that fairness, equity, and meritocracy are upheld in future processes and that teachers are treated with the respect they deserve.