The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) officials in counties across the country have warned teachers that they face disciplinary action if they abscond from their duties to attend Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) training.
According to some TSC officials, primary school teachers have the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) national assessment that they are required to attend and if they abscond, they will put the lives of learners in jeopardy.
Other TSC Officials have made reminded teachers that school days are duty days and that they should not neglect their duty of attending to the learners.
During the elections, many teachers usually participate in the temporary IEBC jobs in various categories such as Presiding Officers (POs), Deputy Presiding Officers (DPOs) and Clerks.
The electoral body is planning to train Presiding Officers, Deputy Presiding Officers and Clerks ahead of the August 9 elections.
The training of Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding Officers will begin early next week with the training starting from the 31st of July until the 3rd of August 2022.
However, between the 1st and 3rd of August, there will be school days which will coincide with the training.
For clerks, their training will start from the 5th of August to the 6th of August. Learners will still be in school up to the 5th of August putting the school calendar right in the thick of the training.
Some counties have communicated to teachers verbally while others have communicated in writing.
Below is a communication in writing in one of the counties.
Last month, teachers attended IEBC interviews despite this happening during the school days where prospective Presiding Officers. Deputy Presiding Officers and Clerks attended.
Warnings issued from County Directors, Sub-County Directors, Curriculum Support Officers and Human Resource Officers fell on deaf ears.
This was against what the TSC officials wanted but with no punishment meted out, it proved to teachers that the TSC top brass do not have any problems with teachers attending IEBC interviews.
However, the Commission has been warning teachers against participating in active political engagements.
Circular 14/2020 dated on 1/12/2020 prohibited teachers from involving themselves in any active political engagements while still in service of the Commission. In addition, the Commission asked teachers to refrain from the following:
- Holding office in a political party;
- Publicly indicating support for or opposition to any political party or candidate in an election; and
- Engage in a political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of the office they hold.
The TSC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Nancy Macharia warned teachers that in line with the national values and good governance under the constitution which includes impartiality and political neutrality, it is important for all employees of the Commission to follow strict observance of the law in respect hereof by abstaining from taking part in political engagements.
In this regard, she ordered all TSC employees to refrain from engaging in political activities in violation of the law and is liable for disciplinary action.
She urged any TSC employee having those ambitions to resign from their jobs under the Commission before proceeding with their political journey.
The TSC CEO also said that any breach of directions of the Circular shall result in disciplinary action.
Teachers on their part argue that the high of commodities is the driving factor behind them taking the IEBC jobs.
Besides, loans that teachers already have taken away much of their salary leaving them with little room to wriggle around with to cushion the impact of the high prices of key commodities.