In recent developments, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has come under increasing pressure to revisit the suspension of dedicated educators who were interdicted for taking a stand against the challenges they face while working in North Eastern Kenya.
The Parliamentary Education Committee, under the leadership of Chairperson Julius Melly, has taken a strong stance in support of these teachers, emphasizing the need to address their concerns promptly.
This article delves into the circumstances surrounding the interdiction and the passionate appeal for reinstatement.
A Cry for Safer Working Conditions
The story began when a group of teachers stationed in Northern Kenya decided to take a bold step by staging protests at the TSC headquarters in Nairobi.
Their primary concern was the prevalent insecurity in North Eastern Kenya, which, in their view, created an unsafe and hostile working environment.
The teachers’ call for attention to these pressing issues sparked a significant chain of events, culminating in their suspension.
Melly’s Resounding Call for Reinstatement
Julius Melly, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Education Committee and also the Tinderet MP, has emerged as a vocal advocate for the reinstatement of these interdicted teachers.
In his resounding address, Melly criticized TSC’s response to the teachers’ concerns.
He passionately asserted that no teacher should ever be expected to educate under the shadow of threats to their lives.
Melly’s words were not without substance.
Speaking at an event in Tinderet Constituency, Nandi County, he made a powerful statement: “You cannot teach when your life is under threat. You cannot do a lesson plan. You cannot attend to a child when there is somebody threatening your life.”
He further emphasized the crippling impact such circumstances had on a teacher’s ability to work effectively, let alone provide administrative oversight in a school.
In a bold challenge to the TSC commissioners, Melly suggested that they experience firsthand the challenges faced by teachers stationed in Northern Eastern Kenya, particularly Mandera.
He urged them to spend two to three weeks working in the same conditions that these teachers endure, living in police cells, and confronting the daily difficulties that come with the job.
The Teachers’ Plight
The interdicted teachers had been camped outside the TSC offices, seeking transfers due to the escalating insecurity brought on by the presence of Al Shabaab and hostility from the local community.
The situation had become increasingly untenable, leading them to seek immediate resolution.
TSC had issued a directive to the teachers in September, urging them to return to their respective workstations.
However, their subsequent interdiction served as a significant blow to their aspirations and left them in a state of uncertainty.
In their letters of interdiction, the Nancy Macharia-led commission cited a violation of the Teachers Service Commission Act, specifically pointing out a breach of clause (b) (iv) of the Third Schedule of the Act, which alleged that they had deserted duty.
The teachers were interdicted effective from September 22, 2023.
Furthermore, TSC outlined an appeals process for the interdicted teachers, allowing them to present their defense statements within 21 days.
They would also have the opportunity to personally present their case before the commission.
The teachers were required to report to the nearest TSC sub-county offices once a month and provide any supporting evidence for their cases.
Additionally, they were asked to forfeit their annual leave.
Conclusion
The pressure on TSC to reinstate the interdicted teachers continues to mount, with the Parliamentary Education Committee’s Chairperson, Julius Melly, taking an uncompromising stance in their favor.
As the saga unfolds, it remains to be seen whether TSC will heed the calls for reconsideration and whether the teachers will ultimately find relief from the challenges they face in their dedicated service to the children of North Eastern Kenya.
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Mr. Weldon Kosgei, a dedicated educator with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya, brings years of experience and a deep love for education to his role at TSCNewsToday.co.ke. He provides insightful and timely updates on TSC policies, educational trends, and best practices, making his articles valuable resources for educators and administrators. Mr. Kosgei’s commitment to enhancing education shines through in his writing, connecting and inspiring the teaching community across Kenya.
