Turkana County leaders are upset with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over the transfer of over 60 teachersfrom the region without replacement. Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin has strongly condemned the move saying it’s a threat to the right to quality education for children in the marginalized county.
TSC Accused of Unfair Teacher Transfers
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, MP Ekwom Nabuin termed TSC’s move as unfair and detrimental to education in the region. He demanded that all transferred teachers be replaced immediately, saying the mass transfers have left many schools critically understaffed.
“Over 60 teachers have been transferred, our schools are understaffed. This is injustice to our county. We demand 60 replacement forms for every teacher transferred,” said Nabuin.
The MP linked the transfers to alleged misconduct by a retiring TSC official and warned that Turkana County MPsare united in opposing what they term as a discriminatory policy against their region.
“As MPs from Turkana, we strongly oppose continuous external transfers of teachers without replacements. Our schools are struggling. Our children deserve the right to quality education just like other students across the country,” he added.
KESSHA Secretary-General Calls for Fairness
Backing the MP’s sentiments, Michael Ejikon, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Secretary-General for Turkana County accused TSC of denying students continuity of learning by transferring teachers without considering the impact on students.
“This is denying education to children from marginalized communities. In some cases, entire teaching staff from certain schools were transferred, leaving students stranded,” said Ejikon.
The transfers have irks local leaders and education stakeholders who are now demanding urgent action to prevent a total collapse of learning in affected schools.
TSC Announces New Teacher Vacancies Amid CriticismDespite the outcry over teacher shortages in Turkana, TSC recently advertised 19,943 vacancies for various positions including:
- Senior teachers
- Deputy principals
- Senior lecturers
- Headteachers
- Senior headteachers
- Senior principals
- Chief principals
Plus junior secondary school teachers, specifically primary school teachers employed by TSC.
Requirements for Junior Secondary Teacher Applicants
To apply, you must:
✔ Hold a diploma or degree in education
✔ Have a minimum KCSE grade of C+
✔ Have at least a C+ in two teaching subjects
Will TSC address the Turkana crisis?
With MPs, school heads and education stakeholders criticising TSC, all eyes are on the commission to respond to the crisis. If no replacements are made urgently, thousands of Turkana students will miss out on education.
The big question: Will the Teachers Service Commission act before it’s too late?