TSC, Kuppet lock horns over intern teachers
TSC, Kuppet lock horns over intern teachers. On the 5th World Teachers’ Day in Kenyan government schools, teachers and stakeholders closely watched the proceedings, as reported by Denish Ochieng for the Standard. The Kenya Union of Primary Teachers (Kuppet) disagrees with the Teachers Service (TSC) over the terms and conditions of contract teachers. The union criticized TSC’s latest announcement, saying teachers currently on contract will serve another year before reviewing their terms of service.
The council last week informed members of Parliament that trainee teachers will have to wait an extra year before the government approves their permanent and retired status. Antonina Lentoijoni, Director of Teaching Services at TSC, explained that the job requirements for 46,000 teachers will be fixed and they will automatically retire after two years of service. He said the contract extension letter for another year will be sent in December, compared to the one that started in February.
Lentoijoni, speaking to the Education Committee of the National Assembly led by MP Tinderet Julius Melli, explained the difference between the two groups of practices based on the start date, focusing on those that started in February.
Cuppet responded by saying that TSC should honor its initial commitment and retire teachers on permanent status and retire after the first year. Chief Secretary Akelo Misori has admitted that the suspension of teachers working on probationary contracts in Primary and Secondary Schools (JSS) will cause them distress.
Missouri has argued that despite the one-year trial contract, TSC has not taken steps to make it permanent after the current contract expires in January 2024. He praised the patriotism of the teachers and acknowledged their perseverance through challenges such as the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Despite being paid less, these teachers face the same taxes and statutory deductions as their in-service counterparts, said Kuppet. Missouri has reduced the number of cases where teachers receive half of what they deserve, contribute to the mandatory plan and are taxed at the same rate without corresponding benefits.
The situation is particularly difficult for JSS teachers who work under the principal of primary schools, who in some cases are forced to buy teaching materials due to the lack of primary schools.
TSC, Kuppet lock horns over intern teachers