The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) recent teacher promotion exercise, terming it inadequate and unfair.
Speaking in Kericho town, KNUT Vice National Chairman Malel Langat criticized the process, stating that the number of promoted teachers was alarmingly low and failed to meet expectations.
Langat lamented that some sub-counties were allocated very few slots, with some receiving only one, making the exercise appear more like a token gesture rather than a meaningful recognition of teachers’ career progress.
He acknowledged that while the union welcomes the effort by TSC to promote teachers, the numbers are insufficient and demoralizing.
“We welcome the promotion of teachers carried out by TSC. However, we are unhappy with the number of promotions. Some counties got a few slots while others only got one,” said Langat.
He further noted that many teachers have pursued higher education, attaining master’s and degree qualifications, yet they remain stuck in the same job grades for years.
This stagnation, he emphasized, not only affects their morale but also hinders their ability to adequately support their families.
“Many of our teachers have progressed in their careers, and we have master’s and degree holders now. As a union, we demand that the teachers be promoted so that they can enjoy their hard-earned qualifications and provide for their families,” Langat added.
Capitation Delays Threaten School Operations
Beyond the issue of promotions, Langat also raised concerns over the delay in capitation funds, which he warned could force some schools to close early due to financial constraints. He called on the government to adhere to the agreed 50:30:20 ratio for the disbursement of funds to schools, ensuring that schools receive their allocations on time to support smooth operations.
“Capitation delays have made the running of schools so difficult, and schools could even close early. We want the government to increase and release the money urgently. We had agreed that the money be released on a 50:30:20 basis for terms one, two, and three, respectively,” he stated.
The Ministry of Education, however, has assured stakeholders that the funds will be released before the end of the week, a promise that school administrators and teachers are hoping will be honored.
KNUT continues to push for reforms to ensure that teachers are fairly compensated and schools receive the necessary funding to deliver quality education.
