Thousands of Teachers Face Job Loss Amid Strike: TSC Issues 7357 Show Cause Letters.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued ‘show cause’ letters to 7,357 contract teachers who have been on strike since schools reopened last week. These teachers now risk losing their jobs unless they provide satisfactory explanations within two weeks. The TSC’s decision follows a meeting at its headquarters and the receipt of absenteeism data from county offices, highlighting the significant impact of the strike on school operations.
These teachers are part of the 46,000 educators recruited in February and September of last year, specifically deployed to junior schools. The TSC’s letters indicate that these teachers violated the TSC Act Schedule Clause (b) by engaging in professional misconduct through absenteeism. Consequently, the commission is considering terminating their contracts and has urged the teachers to justify why they should not end their internships. Regional and county directors of education have also received copies of these letters.
The affected teachers are on one-year contracts, with extensions for those hired last year. Primary school teachers receive a monthly stipend of Sh15,000, while those in junior secondary and secondary schools earn Sh20,000. However, these amounts are subject to taxation, including the Affordable Housing Levy, reducing their take-home pay.
The current dispute originated from a lawsuit filed by the ‘intern’ teachers at the Employment and Labour Relations Court. The court ruled in their favor, halting the recruitment on contract basis, stating that the TSC can only employ teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. However, the TSC has secured orders to delay the implementation of this ruling until August 1, 2024, as it appeals the judgment.
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- Kipsang: Learning Continues Despite JSS Intern Teachers’ Strike
- KUPPET Stands with Intern Teachers: Urges Negotiations Amid Strike
In an effort to address the teacher shortage, the TSC has been allocated Sh4.68 billion to hire 20,000 additional teachers on contract. This move is part of the Kenya Kwanza government’s initiative to recruit 76,000 teachers in total, fulfilling their manifesto promise to address the teacher gap, which currently stands at 116,000, by employing 58,000 teachers at a cost of Sh25 billion per year.
The TSC also has a commitment to converting the terms for contract teachers into permanent and pensionable positions after two years of service, on the premise that there are adequate funds for this purpose. This policy aims to provide long-term stability and job security for teachers, aligning with the overall goal of reducing the teacher deficit in public schools.
The mass terminations resulting from the strike could exacerbate the already critical understaffing issue in junior secondary schools (JSS), further disrupting the education system. The situation remains tense as the affected teachers deliberate their next steps in response to the TSC’s ultimatum.
This development underscores the ongoing challenges within the education sector, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to ensure adequate school staffing and that teachers receive fair and secure employment terms. The outcome of the TSC’s actions and the teachers’ responses will significantly influence the future landscape of education in Kenya.
Thousands of Teachers Face Job Loss Amid Strike: TSC Issues 7357 Show Cause Letters.
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