KUPPET Raises Alarm Over Political Interference in Teacher Recruitment.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Kisumu County has expressed concerns regarding the ongoing teacher recruitment process, accusing politicians of covertly interfering with the exercise.
The union claims that political meddling is distorting the fairness of employment practices and leading to staffing imbalances in schools.
During a press briefing in Kisumu, KUPPET Kisumu County Executive Secretary Zablon Awange voiced criticism against the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), asserting that it had relinquished its mandate to politicians, particularly Members of Parliament.
He argued that this situation had led to biased recruitment, where teachers with political backing were posted to preferred schools with attractive benefits such as hardship and enhanced house allowances, while other institutions continued to struggle with understaffing.
KUPPET has now called on the TSC to reclaim full control over teacher recruitment and adhere strictly to constitutional guidelines, including publicly advertising all vacancies. The union emphasized that allowing political interference would undermine the credibility of the process and transform recruitment into an instrument of favoritism.
Favoritism and Violations
Awange warned that persistent political interference could lead to employment decisions being based on personal connections rather than merit, which would be a direct violation of the constitution.
The union stressed that such practices could erode public confidence in the hiring process and weaken the education sector’s integrity.
Additionally, KUPPET urged TSC to adopt a more compassionate approach in addressing teacher grievances, cautioning that failure to do so might result in the commission losing its constitutional mandate.
The union suggested that if the commission could not fulfill its responsibilities fairly, it should be reintegrated into the Ministry of Education as a department to ensure greater accountability.
Echoing similar sentiments, Naivasha MP Jane Kihara has alleged that the ongoing recruitment of 20,000 teachers by the TSC is biased in favor of pro-government individuals and regions. She asserted that the exercise should be suspended and thoroughly investigated to address concerns about partiality.
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Kihara pointed out that due to the flawed process, many teachers who met the required academic standards were being unfairly excluded.
She further noted that the issue began last year when employment forms were allegedly distributed to MPs perceived as pro-government, enabling them to allocate opportunities within their constituencies.
According to Kihara, this practice contributed to the recruitment process being skewed and inequitable.
KUPPET Raises Alarm Over Political Interference in Teacher Recruitment.
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