Kuppet rejects Master’s clause for promotions
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has expressed concern over the requirement that tutors seeking senior positions should have a Master’s degree.
Secretary-general Akello Misori yesterday said the move will work against the Teachers Service Commission’s aim to promote more than 1,000 teachers in line with career progression guidelines.
He termed the clause on a master’s degree, as introduced by TSC, an unnecessary qualification for the kind of jobs teachers do, adding that many lack an opportunity to pursue further studies.
“Why is TSC putting a Master’s order, which is causing trouble to the would-be candidates?
In our view, we feel it is an unnecessary qualification for the kind of jobs they have because they know very well they have been discouraging people from going to do Master’s,” Misori told People Daily on phone.
As the September 17 deadline fast approaches, some teachers have expressed fear they will be locked out of the impending promotions because they do not have a Master’s degree.
Teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity urged the union to intervene, saying they are being denied opportunity for higher positions because “if you have been appointed a deputy you can also qualify to be a headteacher and if denied the opportunity to apply because they do not have Master’s, TSC is putting a condition they will not meet and will have to revise it.”
Misori said if TSC insists deputy headteachers must have the qualification, it must make deliberate arrangements to ensure teachers get time to further their studies.
Career guidelines
Misori said already, TSC had appointed people without Master’s equivalent as deputies and they should also accord those applying for the opportunity now the same privilege because most of them have sufficient experience.
“That indent must be revised to make candidates emerge to compete fairly, you cannot introduce a rule when the game is already on.
The basic requirement to head a school or a department is a bachelors degree and that is what is required for high schools,” Misori said adding that if they are changing the policy to high qualifications, they must give room for people to look for such certificates by going to study.
The Master’s requirement must be removed as an indent in that profession because already there are people who are working and have a bachelors degree.”
Last month, TSC invited applications to fill 16 posts for Chief Principals, 516 Principals, 91 Deputy Principal I and 204 Deputy Principals II.
Those who meet the required qualifications were expected to make their online applications through the TSC website.
To apply for Deputy Principal I and II, interested candidates are required to be serving under Career Progression Guidelines, have served as Deputy Principal for a minimum of three years, currently serving as Deputy Principal II or III and have a Master’s degree in a relevant area.
They must also have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process, meet requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the commission.
