KUPPET Urges TSC to End Punitive Teacher Transfers.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is calling for an end to arbitrary transfers of teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Zablon Awange, the KUPPET Kisumu chapter official, emphasized that the practice of punitive transfers should be halted, as it is negatively impacting teachers.
Awange highlighted that some teachers have left the profession due to the harsh nature of these transfers. He noted that many teachers have seen a reduction in their salaries, with some losing up to 10 percent of their earnings due to being transferred.
These transfers have also contributed to poor performance in many schools, as teachers are sometimes moved forcefully, disrupting the learning environment.
Awange urged the TSC to begin a fresh approach to teacher transfers. He suggested that transfers should be carried out in a more structured and systematic manner, rather than as a form of punishment.
He also accused the TSC of overstepping its mandate and said that the concerns of unions have often been ignored. In the past, union officials have even been dismissed from TSC offices.
Teachers Facing Unfair Treatment
Awange pointed out that some teachers have been penalized for refusing to accept transfers to certain regions, while others with medical issues have not been given any consideration before being transferred.
Another concern raised by Awange was the stagnation of teachers in certain job groups. He specifically mentioned Kisumu and Luo Nyanza, where many teachers have remained in the defunct job group N, now categorized under D1.
He called on the TSC to develop a strategy to promote these teachers and address the stagnation issue.
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Awange also condemned incidents where villagers have attacked teachers due to poor performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). He referred to a recent incident at Oginga Odinga Tamu Secondary in Muhoroni, where villagers blamed teachers for their children’s exam results.
He stressed that it is the students, not the teachers, who are responsible for their exam performance.
Awange urged the police to take action against these villagers, calling for them to be arrested. He also suggested that the TSC should withdraw teachers from areas where parents resort to violence over exam results.
Awange concluded by demanding that the authorities investigate such incidents and ensure the culprits are brought to justice.
KUPPET Urges TSC to End Punitive Teacher Transfers.
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