The government has approved the promotion of over 30,000 teachers and the hiring of 20,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers from June this year.

This decision was announced during a six-day joint meeting between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha.

This agreement comes after years of stagnation for many teachers, who have not been promoted despite meeting the requirements.

The TSC and KUPPET have been working together to address these issues and ensure that teachers are given the opportunities they deserve.

KUPPET Chairman’s remarks

KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba revealed that Ksh.4 billion would be needed to hire 20,000 teachers, who will help address the crisis in JSS across the country.

He also stated that out of the 50,000 teachers who had been stagnant for years, 30,000 would benefit in the coming financial year.

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Milemba noted that since 2017, most teachers had not been promoted, but the Naivasha meeting resolved this issue, which will take effect from June this year.

He further stated that the commission has requested Parliament to approve the employment of the 20,000 teachers, which would cost Ksh.4 billion, and the confirmation of 26,000 teachers to permanent and pensionable positions, which would cost Ksh7.8 billion.

TSC addresses issues affecting teachers

The commission also promised to look into the issue of teachers who had received ten presidential decrees of being promoted and ensure they are promoted.

Additionally, the government has agreed to reconsider the teachers’ medical cover.

“The government will look at the implementation of new Group Life Cover, Group Personal Accident Cover and Work Injury Benefits insurance for teachers as part of the medical scheme,” said Omboko.

Union Secretary gives his remarks

Also, the union Secretary General Akelo Misori said that at least 2,000 of the 20,000 teachers who would be employed in JSS would be posted to ASAL regions.

He revealed that TSC had agreed to the union’s demand to review the Career Progression Guidelines that have led to stagnation among teachers and to develop new guidelines through public participation.

Misori also expressed satisfaction with the recent promotion of over 50,000 teachers after an audit showed that only 14 cases had issues.

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“The commission has addressed our concerns about the promotion of teachers not in the payroll and explained the remedy for 14 teachers who earned the promotion while not being in the payroll,” he said.

He, however, raised concerns over poor staffing in schools, particularly in Junior Secondary Schools where only two teachers per stream were handling all the learning areas.

Regarding delayed pension for teachers, Misori said that TSC was working jointly with the Department of Pensions on Administrative Action to hasten the processes.

This decision marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by teachers in the country.