Lawmakers Probe TSC After New Recruits Receive Promotions Among 25,000 Teachers

Lawmakers Probe TSC After New Recruits Receive Promotions Among 25,000 Teachers.

A group of senators has joined members of the National Assembly in demanding a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the promotion of 25,252 teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The lawmakers have labeled the TSC as the “headquarters of corruption” and are urging for a shake-up in its leadership. This demand follows growing concerns about the fairness of the promotion process and how the agency handled the distribution of these promotions.

Lawmakers are questioning the logic behind the distribution of promotions, particularly in counties with high population densities that received fewer promotions. They argue that certain regions have been disproportionately favored while other deserving candidates have been overlooked. This discrepancy deviates from previous practices and disregards the principle of equity, raising alarm about the criteria used for the promotions.

Senator Richard Onyonka of Kisii expressed his concern, stating that TSC should be prepared to demonstrate whether the selection criteria for the promotions adhered to the principles of merit, fairness, and inclusivity. He emphasized the need for TSC to provide clarity on whether there was an established grievance mechanism to handle complaints from teachers who felt wronged by the process. Lawmakers are keen to know how many grievances have been filed and how many have been resolved so far.

Senator Onyonka also pointed out the irregularity of long-serving teachers with higher qualifications being passed over in favor of younger, less-experienced teachers. He called on the Education Committee to investigate why this occurred and to report the findings to the House.

Corruption Allegations and Leadership Criticism

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri did not hold back, describing the TSC as the “headquarters of corruption.” She claimed that corrupt officials within the agency have been demanding bribes from teachers in exchange for promotions.

She highlighted the case of teachers who had served for over 17 years without promotion while others with just one year of service were elevated. Okenyuri also criticized the culture within the TSC, claiming that some officials have been in their positions for too long, fostering a corrupt environment that undermines the agency’s integrity.

“Teachers who have given years of service deserve better treatment,” Okenyuri argued, noting that the promotion process was rife with inconsistencies. She called for an overhaul of the leadership at the TSC, insisting that the current culture of corruption needs to be eradicated at all levels of the agency.

Senator Nandi Samson Cherargei echoed Okenyuri’s concerns, calling the TSC “the headquarters of corruption” and adding that political patronage played a significant role in the promotions. He noted that TSC had allegedly outsourced its recruitment process to other entities, including politicians, which further compounded the inequities in the promotion distribution.

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Several teachers’ unions have also criticized the promotion process, highlighting that some teachers who had only six months of service were promoted, despite the policy stipulating a minimum of three years for eligibility. Principals have also expressed dissatisfaction with the promotion model, claiming that the quota system used by the TSC discriminated against regions with more qualified teachers.

Despite the mounting criticism, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia has defended the promotion process, asserting that it adhered to the law and was decentralized to ensure regional representation. She stated that the process followed established guidelines, and the agency worked to maintain fairness and equity. However, the growing discontent among lawmakers and educators suggests that further scrutiny of the TSC’s promotion practices is inevitable.

Lawmakers Probe TSC After New Recruits Receive Promotions Among 25,000 Teachers.

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