The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, led by Tinderet MP Hon. Julius Melly, CBS, today held a consultative forum with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to deliberate on key issues affecting teachers and the broader education sector in Kenya.

The meeting, co-chaired by Hon. Melly and TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi, EBS, brought to the table pressing matters such as the policy on engaging intern teachers, the implementation of the 2024/2025 financial year budget, the guidelines on teacher promotion, deployment and transfer, and the medical cover for teachers under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Melly underscored the importance of collaboration between Parliament and the Commission in shaping education policy. “As a teacher by training and a Member of Parliament, this meeting is vital as it brings together the mind of the Commission and the mind of the House of Parliament to facilitate and develop policy and frameworks that will improve access, quality, and equity in education,” he said. He went on to pose a key challenge to the Commission stating, “How do we make sure that the Commission serves our teachers well?”

During the session, the Commission outlined its ongoing mandate to ensure that only trained, qualified, and registered teachers are allowed to teach. The Committee heard that the teacher registration process has been fully automated, with successful applicants receiving digital certificates online. Since 2022, a total of 379,389 teachers have been registered, bringing the cumulative number since the Commission’s inception in 1967 to 989,964.

The issue of intern teachers sparked wide discussion, with attention given to frameworks for recruitment, placement, mentorship, and eventual transition to permanent and pensionable terms. Concerns were raised about stipends, tenure, protection against exploitation, and the need to benchmark with international best practices on teacher induction and professional development.

The Committee also discussed budget implementation for the 2024/2025 financial year. Members were to be apprised on areas such as teacher recruitment, training, promotions, and donor-funded capital projects. While acknowledging progress made, the TSC highlighted funding gaps and challenges in sustaining promotion and capacity-building programs.

On the matter of promotions, deployments, and transfers, the Committee sought clarity on the current policies guiding the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG). Members expressed concern about persistent teacher shortages in hardship areas, the strain on families and communities caused by transfers, and the difficulties teachers face when opportunities for career advancement are limited by budgetary shortfalls.

The forum also delved into the question of medical cover, particularly the proposed shift from the AON/MINET scheme to the new SHA arrangement. Dr. Muturi stressed that the Commission could not compromise on the quality of medical services available to teachers. He highlighted that the AON/MINET package offers extensive coverage, including specialized consultations, dental and optical care, and chronic condition management without exclusions.

Baringo North MP, Hon. Joseph Makilap on his part proposed the introduction of a premium SHA cover designed specifically to meet teachers’ needs, striking a balance between expanded access and sustained quality.

Even as he lauded the Committee for its consistent support, Dr. Muturi laid out challenges facing the Commission. These included delayed exchequer disbursements, inadequate teacher numbers, the opening of schools in areas with limited viability, insufficient promotion funds, and insecurity in some regions. He also pointed to gaps in insurance protection for teachers, underfunded field operations, and the limited resources available for retooling teachers and field officers on the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

The Legislators used the session to raise additional concerns, among them the disciplinary processes of the Commission and the status of teachers seeking readmission after acquittal in court. Dr. Muturi explained that the Commission operates under its own professional codes to safeguard accountability and uphold standards, even where criminal thresholds are not met.

Kabondo Kasipul MP and Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Eve Obara urged the Commission to take affirmative action in recruitment so that disadvantaged regions and groups are not left behind.