TSC: Output, not papers key in teacher promotions

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) yesterday maintained that higher academic qualification will not guarantee teachers promotion.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee chaired by Julius Melly (Tinderet MP), TSC Chief Executive officer Nancy Macharia said teachers will only be promoted on the work they do and not extra academic qualifications.

COMPETITIVELY
Responding to a question by Bonchari MP John Oroo Oyioka, on the fate of teachers who have attained higher academic qualifications, Mrs Macharia said such qualification will be important for those seeking administrative positions such as head teachers and deputies.

She acknowledged that a good number of teachers have gone back to school but said they must earn promotions competitively.
“We have teachers with diplomas, degrees, masters and doctorate degrees. Job evaluation report conducted by Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommended that you are paid according to what job you are doing,” insisted Mrs Macharia.

FIRST DEGREE
She also disclosed that no principal will be transferred next term, saying the decision is to allow teachers to prepare students for national examinations.
Late last year, the TSC announced that primary head teachers and their deputies must have a minimum of a first degree in education, while their secondary colleagues will be required to possess a master’s degree in education.

The announcement saw many teachers rush back to universities to safeguard their jobs or earn promotions.
The country has about 23,000 heads in public primary schools and about 8,900 in secondary.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has been pushing for the promotion of teachers with higher academic qualifications and has already registered a dispute over the matter with the Labour ministry.
However, Mrs Macharia said the acquisition of knowledge and skills should be a lifetime endeavour to enable teachers operate within a dynamic professional context.
The commission has since developed career guidelines to replace the old schemes of service and had incorporated recommendations of a job evaluation report which is part of the 2017-2021 CBA.
According to the guidelines, promotion of teachers will be based on existence of funded vacancies, minimum qualifications per grade and relevant teacher professional development modules. Others will be relevant experience and satisfactory performance.