Foreign educators interdicted by TSC
Foreign educators interdicted by TSC
Due to security concerns, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has taken extensive action against non-local teachers who request transfers out of north-eastern Kenya.
These teachers have been interdicted by the TSC on grounds of neglect of duty. Geoffrey Kipng’eno Lelon, a teacher in Kericho County but a resident of Mandera County, claims he was unable to return because of insecurity despite the TSC issuing an order in September directing teachers to report to their designated workstations.
Lelon and others spoke about the difficulties they encounter in terms of money and safety when they must make time-consuming and expensive trips by plane and road to get back to their workplaces.
The instructors Service Commission (TSC) headed by Nancy Macharia responded by citing a violation of the Teachers Service Commission Act and accusing the instructors of skipping work shifts at Rhamu Day Secondary School and Fincharo Primary School starting on September 9, 2023, and continuing to the present. As of September 22, 2023, they were detained.
Some of the impacted instructors claimed that they had initially been requested to produce a list of non-returning teachers, which was then modified to interdiction, and that they were shocked and perplexed by the TSC’s decision. These educators sought consensus in denouncing the TSC’s activities because of fear of penalties.
Since many weeks ago, the teachers have been demonstrating outside the TSC offices, demanding to be moved out of the area owing to the unrest brought on by the Al-Shabaab terrorist threat and animosity in the local community. They contend that the TSC hasn’t sufficiently responded to their complaints and demands.
The TSC laid out a seven-step appeals process for the interdicted educators, which includes submitting defense statements, appearing before the commission in person, reporting to the closest TSC sub-county once a month, offering more proof, leaving their offices, and exchanging contact information. The impacted teachers now want to hold a protest in front of the TSC offices on Monday in an effort to find a solution to their predicament.
