Over 1,800 teachers in Kenya's arid and semi-arid regions have been dealt a blow after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) unexpectedly revoked their promotions just months after they were promoted.
The move by the TSC has immediately drawn intense scrutiny, with affected teachers alleging that their demotions are a result of external interference.
The Commission, however, is yet to issue an official communication or provide a reason for the revocations, leaving thousands in limbo and fuelling speculation.
Speaking to the press, some of the impacted teachers shared their frustrations, detailing how many had endured stagnation in the same job group for over a decade.
Others expressed lingering uncertainty, noting they remained in acting capacities despite undergoing rigorous interviews, without any guarantees of job security or fair progression.
"We were told there were some regions that complained that we were given more slots. I can say that was just a political philosophy pursued by some politicians to deny us our chances,” one distressed teacher recounted.
“I was given that position (acting Principal) in 2021, and from that time, I have been in the same acting capacity. We are just waiting to be promoted and confirmed,” another teacher lamented.
The teachers said that the demotions had left them demoralised, noting the pressures of working in hardship areas, where insecurity and lack of resources are the order of the day.
The 1,864 teachers were part of more than 25,000 promotions done by the TSC in January this year.
Consequently, the teachers called upon Parliament, the Ministry of Education, and the TSC to revisit the decision for the sake of learners in the marginalised regions.
Recently, the issue of the promotion of teachers across the country has become a hot topic, with outgoing TSC Chair Nancy Macharia at pains to explain the criteria used in the promotion of the tens of thousands of teachers.
In May, the National Assembly had given the TSC a seven-day ultimatum to explain the promotions, as MPs demanded to know why most teachers were stuck in the same job grade for years with no clear career progression.
Further, the lawmakers questioned why most regions received almost the same number of promotions despite varying teacher performances and staffing needs.
The National Assembly Committee for Education also accused the Commission of unfair practices and immense disregard for principles of equity.
Aside from the MPs, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) had also criticised the TSC promotions, issuing warnings of industrial action and threatening legal action against the TSC.
