Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri has formally petitioned the Senate, highlighting alleged exclusion of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) ongoing promotion exercise.
Okenyuri has requested a statement from the Senate Committee on Education, emphasizing the matter's national importance and questioning the fairness of the TSC promotion process towards JSS teachers.
Concerns Over Exclusion
The senator pointed out that qualified JSS teachers are reportedly unable to participate in the promotion exercise because the TSC's online application system does not recognize their deployment status. Instead, the system appears to accommodate teachers deployed only to primary and secondary schools.
Key Issues Raised
- Verification of whether JSS teachers were indeed excluded from the promotion exercise.
- Assessment of the promotion criteria and whether they align with TSC’s human resource policies.
- Clarification on the framework's adequacy in addressing career progression for JSS teachers.
- Inquiry if TSC plans to update its promotion system and policies to include qualified JSS teachers.
- Recommendations for ensuring equitable access to promotions and professional development regardless of deployment level.
Call for Fairness and Equal Opportunity
Okenyuri stressed that teachers meeting required qualifications and performance standards should not be disadvantaged due to technical or administrative limitations. She urged the Senate Committee on Education to engage TSC and verify if current promotion arrangements comply with principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
Addressing these concerns, the senator believes, will restore confidence among JSS teachers and promote equitable distribution of professional growth opportunities across the teaching workforce.
