Nominated MP and former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has broken silence on the new directive requiring all teachers to undertake refresher courses instituted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Sossion pointed out that KNUT made the biggest mistake by agreeing to drop a case against the government in the exchange of money - a phrase he termed as 'auctioning of teachers' rights cheaply.'
This, he stated, led to the carelessly signing of agreements such as the Teachers Development Programme, that is currently being felt by teachers.
He compared the current rocky times to his tenure when the union wouldn't fold to the government's will including one where the courts agreed with the unions that the Teachers Development Programme (TDP) had no standing in law.
"It never mattered how long Uhuru Kenyatta's government intimidated the union to submission. The judgment codified all the rights of teachers including the TDP. On TDP, the judge said the modules lack regulations/ parliamentary approval and they must be developed."
"The damage of carelessly signing agreements is being felt by teachers," he stated.
He noted that the union's bid to give in to the government's will had lessened KNUT's leverage and this would end up ruining the teaching profession in the country.
This comes as TSC CEO Nancy Macharia had stipulated a new directive which indicated that tutors are slated to undergo a refresher course after every five years. The program consists of six modules and each module would last for five years.
This led to an uproar by teachers who are considering every option to challenge the directive.
A section of teachers urged Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi to act on their behalf- a move that he initially declined.
"Teachers, you left Wilson Sossion to be fought to exhaustion by the State. KNUT withdrew all cases against the State when you replaced Sossion with a Secretary of ‘your preferred choice’. Please, stop calling me to challenge the directive by TSC that you be trained afresh," Havi initially stated.
However, in a recent turn of events, the LSK President came out to declare that he would challenge the new programme imposed by the TSC.
"After reflecting on what would have been good for my late father and my mother, both of whom were great teachers, I have changed my mind. I will act for teachers to challenge the oppressive Teacher Professional Development Programme imposed by the TSC. Let us get started," he posted on social media.
