KNUT Issues New Demand To TSC Ahead Of School Reopening

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has raised serious concerns regarding the recent recruitment and promotion of teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), urging the commission to uphold fairness, transparency, and professionalism in its operations.

KNUT has particularly called for an end to what it terms as discriminatory and questionable practices that have accompanied the promotion of over 25,000 teachers across the country.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, April 19, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu passionately expressed the union’s dissatisfaction with the ongoing recruitment process.

He highlighted that long-serving and older teachers who completed their training many years ago continue to be sidelined in favor of younger, more recent graduates. This, he emphasized, is not only unfair but also deeply demoralizing for teachers who have been waiting for years for an opportunity to serve in the profession.

“The commission must be fair and human in the recruitment process,” said Oyuu. “The idea of picking on a teacher who completed teacher training college in 2023 and leaving out those who finished in 2010 is extremely troubling. It raises more questions than answers and undermines the very spirit of equity and justice in the teaching profession.”

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Oyuu went on to underscore the plight of older teachers, some of whom are now in their 50s and still unemployed despite having met all the qualifications. He stressed that the recruitment process must be inclusive and considerate of the sacrifices and patience shown by those who have been waiting for years.

“As a union, we must state categorically that even in employment, fairness is non-negotiable. We have teachers who are over 50 years old—where are they supposed to go? They are still unemployed, yet they are trained professionals. These individuals deserve to be considered and given a chance to serve,” he added.

Beyond recruitment issues, KNUT also criticized political interference in the affairs of the TSC, stating that external influence is compromising the commission’s independence and effectiveness.

Oyuu cited instances where political players, including those connected to State House, have allegedly meddled in teacher recruitment and promotions, thus eroding public trust in the process.

“The Teachers Service Commission, to some extent, has abdicated its core role of employing and managing teachers. This is a worrying trend,” he said.

“While we cannot object to the executive powers of the President to initiate policies that benefit teachers, the involvement of politicians in the distribution and recommendation of recruitment forms is problematic. If there is assistance, it must be done fairly and transparently.”

KNUT is now urging both the national government and the political class to respect the autonomy of the TSC, as enshrined in the Constitution, and allow it to carry out its mandate without undue influence.

The union warned that continued interference could result in institutional decay and jeopardize the future of Kenya’s education sector.

Adding to its list of grievances, KNUT also demanded the immediate disbursement of the Ksh64 billion capitation funds owed to schools. According to Oyuu, the delay in releasing the funds has left many school heads struggling to manage their institutions effectively, with some being forced to send students home prematurely due to a lack of resources.

Speaking at a separate event earlier on Monday, March 3, Oyuu blamed the delay in capitation as the primary cause of disruptions in school operations, warning that failure to address the issue could have devastating consequences on the education system.

“Why must capitation drag? How do you expect heads of institutions to run schools effectively? They cannot be expected to dig into their own pockets to meet school needs,” Oyuu lamented.

“At times, when we see school principals sending students home before the term ends, we understand their frustration. They are doing the best they can under very difficult circumstances.”

He further warned that keeping learners in schools without adequate funding was risky and could lead to unrest and strikes if left unresolved.

“It is dangerous to retain learners in schools without the necessary capitation. For those school heads who are managing to keep things calm and avoid chaos, we salute their wisdom and resilience, but they need support,” he added.

KNUT’s strong statements come at a time when the education sector in Kenya is facing mounting challenges, from funding shortages and recruitment disputes to governance issues within regulatory bodies.

The union is now calling for immediate dialogue between stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, TSC, and teacher unions, to find lasting solutions to the systemic problems plaguing the sector.

As the country gears up for the next phase of academic transitions and reforms, KNUT has reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of teachers and ensuring that education remains a priority on the national agenda.

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