Long-serving teachers accuse TSC of denying them promotions

Classrooms have been deserted for the last week as the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) escalated its nationwide protests.

Promotions are one of the thorny issues that teachers want their employers to address. The reason, thousands of teachers have been stuck in the same job group for years - some as long as 30 years - while earning meager salaries despite their dedication.

Even those who have pursued advanced degrees, such as Master's, find themselves stuck in a rut.

Citizen TV caught up with Thomas Kamau Muiruri, who when he decided to enter the teaching profession in the 80s, had high expectations. Yet, more than 30 years later, he is left with regret.

For 34 years, Thomas has remained in the lowest job groups, advancing only one step in rank despite his dedication.

"I started teaching in 1990,” said Thomas. "I got transferred to Jericho in 1994... the only promotion I got was during the mass promotion in 2002."

Although he has applied for promotions and been shortlisted for interviews by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) multiple times, he has never been selected, despite his high academic qualifications and numerous accolades.

"In 2010, I went for an interview when I was doing my Master's exams. In 2017, another interview,” he explained.

Lawrence Maraganga is another teacher stuck in the same job group, despite his qualifications.

"The last interview was this year... after the letter came, I was not there,” stated Maraganga.

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori on his part said, “Some of these teachers have moved no steps ahead."

They claim that some of the teachers who joined the profession later have advanced through the ranks much faster.

"Some of those behind me are way, way in better positions... wengine tuliwafunza,” lamented Thomas.

These teachers represent thousands who are nearing retirement with little to show for their years of service. It is a situation that has driven many teachers to boycott work and engage in persistent protests to demand their rights.

The teachers have a number of grievances, but the issue of promotions appears to be the elephant in the room that is driving teachers away from the classrooms.

These long-standing concerns have yet to be effectively addressed. Will the teaching profession ever receive the respect it truly deserves?