Kuppet wants hiring done afresh

By Augustine Oduor

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Union (Kuppet) wants the Teachers Service Commission start afresh hiring of 815 teacher replacements for public secondary schools as stipulated in law.

The union wants the slots advertised, as has been the procedure of recruitment for the past 10 years to give all potential candidates an equal chance.

"The commission is creating confusion. They first recruit then advertise. This process of secret staffing goes against the long-standing tradition," said union Secretary General Njeru Kanyamba.

In a paid advert in yesterday’s papers, TSC gave notice of the on going teacher recruitment exercise.

"The commission is recruiting 815 teachers on permanent and pensionable to replace those who exited through natural attrition between April 2010 to March 2011," read the statement. The advert comes a few days after protests from various stakeholders with the teachers’ union threatening to move to court.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Kanyamba said it was wrong for TSC to flout the recruitment procedure. "We have reliable information that the TSC is already receiving reports from district education officers and education boards countrywide. This means that recruitment is complete," he said.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Acting Secretary General Osiany Okuta however said even though the process was flawed, more teachers are needed.

"We need more teachers. We cannot stop recruitment. All we need is to closely monitor the process," he said.

Secondary School Heads Association National chairman Cleophas Tirop said TSC should make the process more open.

"We also ask Finance minister to avail more finances in the coming budget to employ more teachers and to do away with contract teachers," he said.

Last week, the two teacher unions said if left to proceed, the process would be marred by corruption besides locking out several potential candidates.

But in yesterday communication, the commission said the exercise is at an advanced stage and noted that teachers recruited are expected to report to schools from early next month.

"The 2010 guidelines on recruitment of contract teachers will be used by schools to replace the contract teachers who would have been recruited in the current exercise," read the statement in part.

The lists of schools with vacancies were sent out through provincial and district officers.