Kenya National Union of Teachers warning on certificates order
What you need to know:
- The union warned that the releasing certificates may increase the debts that schools are struggling with.
- Mr Sossion said the implementation should be done in a win-win manner for both students and schools.
Teachers have warned that the directive telling principals to release certificates held over fee arrears may plunge schools into a management crisis.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) wrote to Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi on Tuesday asking for a meeting to discuss modalities of the implementation.
“The implementation of the directive should not hurt the schools,” reads a letter signed by secretary-general Wilson Sossion.
The union warned that the releasing certificates may increase the debts that schools are struggling with.
“It is public knowledge that schools are owed millions of shillings through concession by the principals to allow learners to study uninterrupted,” notes the letter.
Mr Sossion said the implementation should be done in a win-win manner for both students and schools.
“The schools must be protected to ensure continuous delivery of services to the continuing students by squarely addressing the huge arrears incurred by former students,” said Mr Sossion.
In related news, the six member panel appointed by President Kenyatta to spearhead the appointment of five members of the Teachers Service Commission will meet on Wednesday at Harambee House to prepare an advertisement of the vacancies.
Former Knut chairman Joseph Chirchir will lead the panel. Members are Prof Karega Mutahi, Prof George Godia, Mr John Kipkorir, Ms Esther Muhanji and Ms Jean Njeri Muhoho.
At the same time, the TSC which has the role of employing teachers, has rejected a government proposal to put headteachers on contract.
In a document, the commission notes that the provision for tenures for the heads is against the general principal of deployment of heads of institutions.
