Bomet: The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General, Collins Oyuu, has urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to maintain its independence and integrity in the recruitment of teachers for public institutions, cautioning against political interference in the process.
According to Kenya News Agency, Oyuu expressed his concerns during a Sunday church service at Chepkogonyo Deliverance Church in Bomet County. He criticized the recent teacher recruitment exercise, alleging undue political interference. Oyuu claimed some politicians were distributing TSC employment letters during funerals and political gatherings to gain political mileage, disregarding the TSC's mandate and traditional recruitment criteria.
Oyuu noted that such actions undermine the TSC's credibility and cause unnecessary anxiety among job seekers. He mentioned receiving numerous complaints from young, unemployed graduates who felt discriminated against by politicians prioritizing their supporters over merit.
The union leader highlighted reports of irregularities in the distribution of TSC recruitment forms, with some individuals allegedly forced to sell property to purchase the forms. Oyuu affirmed that KNUT had gathered evidence of these irregularities and was prepared to present it to the TSC.
Oyuu urged the TSC to adhere strictly to official recruitment procedures based on merit and to avoid external manipulation. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing graduation year and academic qualifications in the recruitment process.
The TSC plans to recruit 20,000 more teachers by July to address the country's educator shortage. However, Oyuu stressed that transparency in the recruitment process is essential for success.
The concerns raised by KNUT regarding political involvement in teacher recruitment have garnered public attention and are expected to impact the upcoming TSC recruitment drive.