Kuppet says over 130,000 teachers left out of promotions
By Lucy Mumbi |
Misori now wants the current Career Progression Guidelines abolished and advocated for a system that prioritises career growth based on tenure and performance.
Over 130,000 teachers were excluded from recent promotions by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akelo Misori has disclosed.
Appearing before the Public Petitions Committee on Tuesday, Misori said that while the TSC promoted 51,000 teachers during the 2023/24 period, many qualified teachers were overlooked.
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He attributed this issue to the failure of key promotion policies, including the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT), Guidelines on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators, and Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) outlined in the 2016-2021 and 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
“There is a serious crisis of career stagnation in the teaching service, revealed in the high number of teachers who have not earned any promotion for more than five years,” Misori said.
Misori now wants the current Career Progression Guidelines abolished and advocated for a system that prioritises career growth based on tenure and performance.
The union also criticised the TSC's practice of appointing teachers to acting administrative roles without corresponding compensation, terming it a violation of labour rights.
The union further urged the Committee to allocate more funding to the Quality Assurance Directorate under the Ministry of Education.
This, they argued, would enhance staffing in schools and ensure career progression is not limited to administrative positions but includes middle-level to senior roles in academic and research fields.
During the session, legislators sought to understand the root causes of the stagnation.
Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama, questioned, “How did we get here? There seem to be too many problems that need addressing.”
Makueni MP Suzanne Kiamba inquired whether the issue was structural or financial. “Are you pointing to the fact that structures in place are wrong, or is it a matter of a lack of funds in the TSC hindering the promotions and payment of benefits?”
Responding to the concerns, Misori said that previous discussions between KUPPET and the TSC had failed to resolve the issues, prompting various industrial strikes.
He noted that inadequate funding had forced the TSC to adopt cost-cutting measures, such as keeping principals in acting positions for extended periods.
Turbo MP and Committee Vice-Chair Janet Sitienei assured that the TSC would be summoned to provide clarity and address the teachers' grievances.
"We must get to the bottom of this matter,” she said.
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