MPs Expose “Fraudulent” Teacher Promotions by TSC – Demand Full Audit
In a fiery showdown, Kenya’s National Assembly Education Committee has slammed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for its recent promotion of 25,252 teachers, branding the list as “unfair, biased, and scandalous.” Lawmakers are now demanding full transparency, accusing TSC of fraud in a tense meeting that could reshape teacher welfare.
Why the Uproar?
The committee claims the promotions violated key principles, with MPs insisting on immediate disclosure of the criteria used. “This reeks of corruption,” one insider revealed. The TSC, however, defended its process, but lawmakers vow to escalate the matter unless documents are submitted for scrutiny.
Full details:
Members of Parliament grilled the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Tuesday, accusing it of unfairness and lack of transparency in the recent promotion of 25,252 teachers. Lawmakers claimed the process was marred by favoritism and political influence, demanding full disclosure on how slots were allocated.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia defended the promotions, insisting they were conducted lawfully and decentralized to ensure regional balance.
“The commission made sure all eligible teachers had equal opportunities, with interviews held at the sub-county level to promote fairness,” Macharia stated.
The promotions followed a Sh1 billion allocation from the National Treasury earlier this year. Of the beneficiaries, 5,690 teachers secured promotions from vacancies advertised in November, while 19,943 were elevated from December’s recruitment drive.
Macharia noted that priority was given to teachers in acting roles, those who had stagnated in one job group for years, and older educators. Additional considerations included performance appraisals and participation in co-curricular activities.
However, MPs challenged the credibility of the process, alleging that some deserving candidates were sidelined while others received multiple promotions in quick succession.
Uneven Distribution Raises Eyebrows
Committee Chair Julius Melly questioned why promotions appeared evenly distributed across counties, disregarding population disparities and past practices.
“How does one teacher get promoted three times in a row while others remain stuck in the same job group for over ten years?” Melly demanded.
The committee ordered TSC to submit detailed records, including sub-county application numbers, promotion templates, and scoring criteria.
“We expect TSC Chair Jamleck Muturi to provide full documentation on how fairness and merit were applied,” Melly insisted.
Claims of Political Interference
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo accused the commission of political maneuvering, arguing that promotions should be merit-based rather than equally divided among counties.
“TSC has the authority to promote deserving teachers and redistribute them as needed. Why impose uniformity when some regions need more educators than others?” Gisairo questioned.
Igembe North MP Julius Taitamu also criticized the allocations, pointing out that smaller counties received the same number of promotions as larger ones. He labeled the distribution skewed, violating principles of equity and fairness.
The controversy adds to growing scrutiny over TSC’s promotion practices, with lawmakers vowing to push for greater accountability in future recruitment exercises.
