Teachers demand action on delayed promotions

 

Tutors in the Technical and Vocational Training Institutions (Tvet) have asked the government to address their problems.

They claimed they have not been promoted since their transfer from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to the Public Service Commission more than four years ago.

The Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (Katti) chairperson Glory Mutungi also noted that the role of deputy principals, deans and registrars in technical institutions has not been recognised and remunerated.

Addressing a training forum at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa yesterday, Ms Mutungi said the Ministry of Education has not set aside funds for professional development.

The Standard Group is the forum’s media partner. 

Ms Mutungi called for the implementation of the tutors’ scheme of service to end uncertainty.

“We have been waiting for promotions and recognition for long. Some of our members have left service after four years without getting promotions,” she said.

She also urged the ministry to disburse capitation early or allow the institutions to collect tuition fees.

“We also need the ministry cash to fund infrastructure projects. We are part of the Ministry of Education until we get our own ministry,” she said.

But Administrative Secretary David Yatich assured the tutors that the ministry was addressing their grievances.

“We are establishing the Technical Trainers Service Council. You will get full benefits once the council is operationalised,” he said.

He, however, challenged heads of technical institutions to improve enrollment as part of the requirement for their promotion and posting to bigger colleges.

Mr Yatich also warned heads against sabotaging institutions after their transfer, saying they should stop fighting their successors as the changes are made at the ministry headquarters.

“When change comes, embrace it positively. Do not fight your colleagues. Complain through the right channels,” he said.

The Director of Human Resource Management and Development Elkanah Mosiori also assured the trainers who moved from TSC that their records were safe and will get full pension.

Delayed data transfer

“You should not fear. Your pension benefits will be properly calculated from when you got your appointment letter to government service,” he said.

Mr Mosiori said delay to transfer part of their data from TSC was caused by court cases and Covid-19, but was being worked out.

Mr Tom Mulati, Acting Director of Technical Education, said the Tvet Act will be reviewed for improvement, and asked Katti members to make their input.

“The Tvet Act has not been reviewed since its inception in 2013. You should make your analysis during its improvement,” he said.

He told institution heads to base quality assurance on ISO certification, saying they shop drop some of the courses and introduce others that are more relevant to the industry.