Teachers Service Commission: Striking teachers will be punished

By CHARLES NGENO and ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has threatened disciplinary action on any teacher found participating in the strike.

In a circular sent to all head teachers of secondary schools the teachers’ employer warned any absenteeism would be illegal.

“Any teacher who absents him/herself from work will be deemed to have contravened the code of regulations for teachers and disciplinary action will be taken against such a person,” read the circular in part.

The commission further directed heads to submit names of absentees to their respective TSC county directors. The circular further assured teachers that consultations are ongoing in order to conclude the negotiations with their unions as provided under the new Constitution and legal framework.

Reacting to this, however, Bomet Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Executive Secretary Malel Langat dismissed the commission’s threats saying the Government is becoming jittery.

 “They are now resorting to divide and rule tactics. How can they direct secondary school head teachers alone?” wondered Langat.

He said teachers would not be intimidated as they demand for what is rightfully theirs. He warned the county staffing officer Job Lambard to desist from issuing threats to teachers.

“After the strike, teachers will face this officer who is issuing threats left, centre and right. Let him be warned that industrial action is provided for in the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, primary school teachers in Baringo County led by Knut officials yesterday joined other teaching fraternity across the country in demanding for their allowances.

Knut Baringo branch Executive Secretary Charles Kamuren, deputy John Aengwo and chairman Joshua Cheptarus accompanied the teachers as they took to the streets of Kabarnet demanding for allowances and employment of Early Childhood Development Education teachers by TSC and not county governments.

“We need the Government to employ 24,000 teachers and not the 10,000 they are talking about because they have money,” said Kamuren.