Get ready for a show of shocking revelations as primary school teachers reveal a sneaky trick in the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) grading system. Here’s the scoop: around halfway through their period, these sneaky teachers realized a loophole in the grading system that helped the inexperienced climb the ladder and enjoy some sweet pay raises. Sneaky, right?
According to their appeal to Parliament, the general-secretary of the Kenya National Union of Teachers, the teachers revealed that, way back in 1996, the TSC Directorate of Personnel Management had put in action a service plan that required all teachers with A-level academic credentials to submit their names to be eligible for promotions countrywide. Seems fair, right? Well, here is where the cunningness comes in.
The crafty teachers found out that it was some ‘unqualified’ A-level instructors who wanted to be sly. How? By enrolling themselves in a fast-track certification course at Kagumo and Bondo Teachers Training Colleges. In just two weeks, they wanted to hoodwink the officials into thinking that they were eligible for promotions. Certainly, that’s a shortcut!
But here is the catch: the Ministry of Education actually went ahead and graded these untrained A-level teachers who attended the two-week program and headlined promotions. Meanwhile, they conveniently left out other competent A-level instructors who hadn’t participated. Not cool, Ministry!
Understandably, the disappointed instructors decried their plight, vouching for the promised pay hikes and promotions that seem to have eluded each one of them.
But for an ounce of good news, our senate is taking action. The Senate’s Standing Committee on Education received the petition by the teachers and has sixty days within which to respond and table a report. Fingers crossed, it will look into the issue once and for all.
Meanwhile, back to the drawing board, plans are afoot to have the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the TSC and teacher unions revised. The aim? To get our beleaguered teachers those much-needed pay raises.
According to the third and last document, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is pushing it to 42%, while the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) wants it at 60%. These unions are standing their ground when it comes to the interests of the teachers.
Collins Oyuu, KNUT Secretary General, said that the delay by the TSC on the issue has not been helpful. It is clear this procrastination has affected teachers. Step up, TSC!
Let’s hold hopes that, with these and the strength of unity coming up, our concerned teachers will finally be able to smile all the way home. More of this titillating episode coming your way, so stay put!
