Teachers reject TSC order to work on weekends

The teachers union has written to the Teachers Service Commission seeking that a circular compelling teachers to work during the weekends be withdrawn.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers’ (Knut) officials said the circular is unconstitutional and should not be enforced.

The Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion and Chairman Mudzo Nzili, who were accompanied by members of the national steering committee asked their members to defy the circular arguing that they were never consulted.

“Circulars that take away the constitutional rights of teachers are illegal and teachers of this country will reject such circulars,” said Mr Sossion.

Adding that, “If the TSC wants to issue any circular they must engage teachers in a negotiating table.”

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

The new circular, issued by TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia directs that co-curriculum activities be scheduled during weekends.

Other nongovernmental bodies, government ministries and agencies involved in education tasks are also required to be scheduled during the weekends. Schools heads board meetings are also to happen on weekends.

The circular further directed teachers to seek written permission from school heads on weekends and public holidays when co-curricular activities are going on.

However, Knut has asked teachers not to attend TSC interviews scheduled during the weekends.

“If a teacher must attend an interview they will only do it during the week but not over the weekend,” he said.

Mr Sossion said, teachers in Kenya are God-fearing people and should be given time by their employer to go for worship on Saturday and on Sunday according to their faith.

“Teachers will only avail themselves for co-curriculum activities and any other education related meeting when they themselves have reached a consent by themselves but by a circular issued by the TSC,” he said.