Teachers Service Commission defends advertising of Mandera teachers’ jobs

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TSC Chief Executive Officer Gabriel Lengoiboni consults with Nyeri Teachers Sacco Chairman Mr John Githinji

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni has defended the decision to advertise the jobs of teachers who boycotted work in northern Kenya, saying the Government cannot jeopardise education.

Lengoiboni said any of the affected teachers who intends to leave the service is free to do, but declined to state the disciplinary action TSC would take against the striking teachers.

He said the Commission was working with the Government to ensure the security of the teachers, and added that there was no reason why they should refuse to resume work.

“The issue of insecurity is not only in Mandera. It was there in Mpeketoni, Lamu, Kapedo, Marsabit, Wajir and Garissa, but we did not transfer teachers. If we keep transferring teachers because of insecurity, then children will not be taught in some areas,” he said.

Lengoiboni said the TSC could only give in to the transfer of individual teachers, and while observing merit according to the law.

He warned that the teachers’ failure to resume work in Mandera and other parts of the North Eastern region was infringing on the constitutional right of children from that area, adding that the Government had enhanced security patrols and also deployed more security forces to the region.

Speaking to journalists after attending the Nyeri Teachers Sacco annual general meeting at Nyamachaki PCEA Hall in Nyeri Town, Lengoiboni said the TSC would take unspecified disciplinary action against the striking teachers.

Wasted time

“There are other public servants working in the areas, and also members of the local community who are equally affected by insecurity, but they continue to live in those areas,” he said.

“We resolved to advertise the positions since we cannot allow the children to suffer. They have wasted time in schools since January 5 and we cannot just sit down and watch them continue to lose”.

Lengoiboni said only one TSC employed teacher died in the Mandera 1 attack, adding that teachers working in private schools have already resumed work at a rate of 98 per cent, alongside other government workers.

Source