TSC Reinstates 746 Teachers Fired in June

TSC Reinstates 746 Teachers Fired in June

At least 746 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers who were dismissed in June by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have been reinstated, with their dismissal letters officially canceled. This decision followed a Ministry of Education review, which found that the dismissals had not followed due process.

Akelo Misori, the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), welcomed the resolution, noting that none of the affected teachers were given a chance to defend themselves in a disciplinary hearing. “We are pleased to report to our members and the general public that all teachers from Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) who were dismissed from service in June 2024 have won back their jobs. All the affected teachers have been reinstated onto the payroll, and their dismissal letters have been canceled,” Misori stated.

Misori criticized the initial dismissals as violations of natural justice, arguing that individuals should be heard before any punitive action is taken. “KUPPET took great exception to the dismissals, which went contrary to the rules of natural justice demanding that no one should be condemned unheard. None of the affected teachers had been accorded an opportunity to defend themselves at a disciplinary hearing,” he added.

The controversy began in June when the TSC terminated 742 JSS teachers in response to mass protests by intern teachers demanding permanent employment and better working conditions. The TSC stated that the dismissals were due to teachers not reporting back for duty and their whereabouts being unknown.

Despite the reinstatement, unresolved issues remain, particularly regarding the conversion of temporary contracts to permanent and pensionable positions. KUPPET is concerned about the government’s inconsistent commitment to these terms, highlighting a deficit of approximately 20,000 JSS teaching positions.

Misori indicated that KUPPET’s National Governing Council plans to meet soon to consider potential industrial action if the issues remain unresolved. The proposed action aims to secure employment rights and benefits for KUPPET members under the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Addendum, which includes salary increments and other benefits.

This development underscores ongoing tensions between education stakeholders and government agencies, emphasizing the need for clear and fair processes in handling employment disputes and protecting educators’ rights. The resolution of this issue is likely to influence future negotiations and policies related to teacher employment and management in Kenya.

TSC Reinstates 746 Teachers Fired in June