By Angatia Leonard Story written by – Joy Christine
School principals across the country have come together to oppose the new promotion criteria that has been put forward by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) , deeming it unfair and a hindrance to teachers’ career progression.
Teachers’ umbrella and National Assembly to rescue the imbalance in promotions
Through the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), the principals have petitioned both the TSC and national assembly. The petition is in regard to the 19,943 positions that TSC had advertised late last year and interviews conducted early this year.
The Association had turned to the National Assembly- Education Committee through its chair Hon Julius Melly for support after failing to get a response from TSC. It argued that the new criteria was set to limit opportunities in smooth learning regions while favoring those from arid and semi-arid areas (ASAL). And yet the employment should be equal in terms of distribution of vacancies across the 47 counties.
KESSHA Chair, Willy Kuria warned that this system could create disparities and marginalize teachers based on regions. He claimed that in certain regions teachers had been invited for interviews despite having not completed the mandatory six months in the perceived job group.
“We easily get the information from the county directors and when we complain to the Teachers Service Commission, they never work on the information,” he said, adding that if the situation shall remain the same,it could result in some teachers stagnating in the same job group just because of negligence.
How the process was before things changed
The Teachers Service Commission’s new promotion framework is designed to standardize the process of career advancement for teachers’ and improve leadership. Some of the key elements of the guidelines are that teachers should score high on the Teacher’s Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD).
The criteria also take into consideration the number of years one has served in their current job group hence those who have served longer are favored. Certain job groups also require one to have advanced academic credentials such as bachelor or master degrees.
Teachers are required to complete mandatory Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules, which some argue are costly and inaccessible. Principals and deputy principals are also required to demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovative practices in school management.
Consultation should be key and TSC should give a listening ear
Many principals argue that their employer did not consult education stakeholders before implementing the new promotion system and that their input was not considered. They also feel that the criteria is overly demanding and do not account for the challenges they face.
Principals in rural and underserved areas argue that the criteria particularly disadvantage them due to limited access to resources, training, and higher education institutions. This calls for several measures to be taken as a way of resolving the issue and coming to an amicable agreement between the two parties.
” While qualifications are important TSC should not overlook experience and leadership skills as these are fundamental when it comes to promotions,” averred Kuria. In addition, training opportunities should be provided to ensure equal chances for career advancement.
Teachers on their knees
Teachers Service Commission should involve all stakeholders starting with unions through discussions before implementing new policies where teachers are ordered and expected to follow.
By Joy Christine.
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