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Kuppet protests at demotion of teachers

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Published on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 06:42

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) officials in Kisii branch have protested against demotion of teachers.

The officials took issue with the demotion of heads of schools that performed poorly in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations.

Branch Executive Secretary Ben Nyaundi said some of the demoted teachers had barely lasted a year in their stations by the time the 2010 KCSE exams were conducted.

"The Teachers Service Commission should explain the criteria used to demote the teachers. Some of the teachers were promoted last year and posted to new schools to improve standards and now they have been demoted. What miracle can a teacher perform in a year?" posed Nyaundi.

Seven secondary school heads in Kisii County are among heads of the 50 poor performing schools in last year’s KCSE that were demoted.

Nyaundi said the Government should have considered duration of stay in institutions before acting.

He cited a teacher in Kisii Central promoted to head a school last year in September as among those demoted, saying the trend was likely to ‘kill’ teachers professionally.

"Should teachers decline promotions and transfer to newly established schools for fear of demotion? We are not opposed to demotion of poor performing teachers but all factors should be considered," argued Nyaundi.

Last month, Nyanza Provincial Director of Education Geoffrey Cherongis said demotion and promotion of teachers were based on an inspection carried out in the region.

"We shall not compromise on academic standards. Some of the teachers were demoted due to poor financial management, among other factors," Mr Cherongis said.

The Catholic Church in Kisii also accused the Ministry of Education of carrying out mass transfers of primary school heads in the region without consulting sponsors.