TSC Asked to Reinstate Sacked JSS Teachers or Face Parliamentary Censure
The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) faces criticism for dismissing 7,357 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers nationwide.
A group of Members of Parliament, led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, has demanded the commission rescind its disciplinary action immediately or face parliamentary censure.
Cherargei, addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings, called on TSC to offer permanent and pensionable positions to over 46,000 intern teachers.
He stated that the termination letters sent to JSS teachers were punitive and unacceptable, urging TSC to revoke them.
TSC, in a statement yesterday, confirmed dismissing some JSS teachers, clarifying that only 742 were sacked, not 7,357.
The teachers were dismissed following mass protests demanding permanent employment. On May 22, TSC issued show-cause letters to 10,348 protesting teachers who had absconded their duties, requiring responses within two weeks.
Out of these, 9,606 responded, while 742 did not, leading to their dismissal.
Cherargei criticized TSC’s decision as unfair and a violation of human rights, emphasizing that it was unjust to terminate the contracts of diligent teachers.
He highlighted the teachers’ role in pioneering the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) education under challenging conditions, ensuring pupils’ adaptation across the country.
The Nandi Senator accused TSC of hypocrisy, terminating contracts of teachers who had already called off their strike.
He claimed that the teachers were merely advocating for better terms and permanent employment, and now they face demoralization, frustration, and mental stress due to TSC’s blackmail and intimidation tactics, along with pressure from County Education Directors and School Heads.
“Rescind the termination of contract and recall the 7,357 letters that were sent to Junior Secondary School teachers, the measure taken is very punitive and is unacceptable,” said Cherargei.
TSC attributed the dismissals to professional misconduct, stating that the internship engagements ended effective June 6, 2024, due to the teachers’ desertion of duty from May 13, 2024.
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The commission reviewed the teachers’ responses to the show-cause letters and found some unsatisfactory, leading to their contract termination.
Cherargei warned that if TSC fails to reverse the dismissals by the end of the week, CEO Nancy Macharia will be summoned to Parliament next week to justify the unpopular decision.
The parliamentarians are prepared to take action if the commission does not comply.
TSC Asked to Reinstate Sacked JSS Teachers or Face Parliamentary Censure
