Petitions Committee hears from KUPPET on career progression of Teachers

Petitions Committee hears from KUPPET on career progression of Teachers

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Public Petitions Committee has received submissions from members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), regarding the stagnation of Primary school teachers in the country. 

“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,” claims KUPPET Secretary General Mr. Akelo Misori.

In the petition, Mr. Misori alleges that despite efforts by the Teachers Service Commission to promote 51,000 teachers in 2023/2024, more than 130,000 teachers who met and exceeded the criteria for promotions were still left out. 

He avers that the crisis of stagnation points to the near total collapse of the policies on the promotion of teachers, principally the Code of Regulations (CORT), Guidelines on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators, and Career Progression Guidelines under the 2016-2021 and 2021-2025 CBAs. 

KUPPET told the Committee that they want the Career Progression Guidelines that are in place to be abolished to create a clear path for teachers' career growth based on long service and performance.

They pray that the Committee resolves the employment of teachers in acting administrative positions where they draw no compensation which they say is an abuse of labour rights.

The Petitioners also called for the strengthening of staff establishment records per school through increased funding to the Quality Assurance Directorate of the Ministry of Education and to allow for teachers' career progression from middle-level to senior roles not to be pegged on administrative positioning as is currently being done in academic and research institutions 

Members however sought to know the genesis of the problems and ways in which teachers grievances can finally be put to bed.

Kuria East MP, Hon Marwa Kitayama asked, “How did we get here? There seems to be too many problems that need addressing.”

Makueni Constituency MP, Hon. Suzanne Kiamba on her part sought the opinion of the Secretary General on the existing policies for promotion that are already in place.

“Are you pointing to the fact that structures in place are wrong, or is it a matter of a lack of funds in the T.S.C hindering the promotions and payment of benefits,” enquired Hon. Kiamba

In responding to the Committee concerns the KUPPET S.G. informed the Committee that they have had 3 past sittings with the TSC to no fruition which has in turn led to the various strikes.

He also noted that a lack of funding has led the TSC to adopt cheap employment tactics such as employing Principals on acting capacity for years.

Turbo MP, and Committee Vice-Chair Hon. Janet Sitienei in her closing remarks promised to invite the TSC so as to get to the bottom of the matter.