JSS Teachers Confront TSC Over Unfair Termination Letters
A group of JSS teachers, led by Secretary General Daniel Murithi K. and their Spokesperson Omari Omari, held a crucial meeting with officials from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) today.
The meeting aimed to address grievances related to the issuance of termination letters without fair hearings, as required by TSC regulations.
Key Concerns Raised
During the meeting, the delegation raised several pressing concerns:
Fair Hearing Rights
The teachers questioned the TSC’s decision to send termination letters before granting them the opportunity for a fair hearing.
They stressed that the TSC Code of Conduct explicitly states that teachers have the right to be heard before termination.
Inconsistent Termination Criteria
There was confusion over the criteria used to issue termination letters to some teachers who had responded to show cause letters and others who had not.
The delegation demanded clarity on why some teachers were left out.
Lack of Official Rubber Stamps:
The authenticity of the termination letters was brought into question due to the absence of the TSC official rubber stamp on the documents.
Next Steps for Affected Teachers
The TSC officials provided a clear response only to the last concern, advising that the termination letters were not final.
They urged the affected teachers to appeal the decisions immediately, assuring that they could be reinstated.
Legal Actions and Advice
Following the meeting with TSC officials, the teachers conferred with their legal advisors, Mr. Omechi and Mr. Ochieng. The legal team instructed the teachers to send both their termination and appeal letters to their forum’s email.
These documents will be used in court to highlight the illegality of the TSC’s actions, noting that labor laws require employers to follow due process in disciplinary matters.
Immediate Steps for Teachers
In response to the widespread concern among teachers, the leadership issued the following instructions:
Correct Termination Procedure
Termination letters should come from the TSC headquarters and follow a fair disciplinary hearing.
They should be the fifth disciplinary letter, after three show cause letters and a hearing invitation.
Handling Unstamped Letters
Teachers should disregard termination letters lacking an official stamp, as this indicates reluctance from subcounty and county directors to own the letters.
Teachers are advised to report to their stations on Monday, June 9, 2024, and continue their duties while awaiting further instructions from the National Leadership.
Reporting Stamped Letters
Teachers with officially stamped letters should send them to the SG’s inbox at 0746737469 for further engagement.
Encouragement and Historical Context
Secretary General Daniel Murithi K. reminded the teachers of the historical context of their struggle, likening it to past battles for freedom.
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He emphasized that today’s teachers are educated, courageous, and resilient, and will not be intimidated. The leadership remains focused on their goal of ensuring fair treatment for all teachers.
The leadership concluded by urging all affected teachers to write their appeal letters and forward both the termination and appeal letters to their legal team’s email.
JSS Teachers Confront TSC Over Unfair Termination Letters
