KNUT Garissa boss decries unfair promotion criteria for Northeastern teachers
The KNUT boss said teachers in safer counties have been rewarded over those enduring hardships in areas like the Northeastern.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Garissa Branch Executive Secretary, Abdirizak Hussein has faulted the rationale behind the promotion of teachers.
The KNUT boss said teachers in safer counties have been rewarded over those enduring hardships in areas like the Northeastern.
"We’re gratifying comfort over sacrifice. That’s not justice," said the KNUT official.
Hussein told of a harrowing picture of the conditions under which teachers in Northern Kenya are working during an interview on Thursday.
"You can imagine teachers are in places where even security personnel cannot be posted," he said.
"There are no medical staff, no other government workers—just teachers and assistant chiefs holding the front line in some of the most dangerous corners of our country."
He underscored the urgent need for greater support, security, and recognition for educators in volatile and marginalized regions.
"Despite all the difficulties, our teachers remain committed to the call of duty, sometimes for two years straight. Some rarely bathe, some rarely eat vegetables, and food prices are out of reach due to poor transport and insecurity," he said.
The KNUT official condemned what he called a "betrayal by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) after withdrawing 164 promotional slots that had initially been allocated to the county."
"We were told 303 teachers would be promoted. At the last moment, 164 positions were withdrawn, leaving us with only 139. This is heartbreaking," he said.
He called for immediate intervention and “the reinstatement of all withdrawn slots.”
"These teachers deserve more, not less. They should be receiving hardship allowances, annual promotions, and national recognition. Instead, they are overlooked," Hussein said.
He also urged the Ministry of Education to fast-track facilities for the rollout of the three Competency-Based Education (CBE) pathways as students transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 by January 2026.
"The ministry seems unprepared. If this is not handled urgently, our learners will be left behind," he cautioned.
The Ministry of Education is piloting the process and is being conducted in 47 schools that have been selected to represent each country ahead of the official rollout.
The transition process will see Grade 9 learners move to senior school.
The ministry has assured all stakeholders that no candidate will miss out on the opportunity to select their preferred schools this term.
The transition to senior school is part of the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms.
