KNUT directs teachers not to sign performance appraisals

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has directed its members not to participate in the performance contracting for head teachers and appraisals for teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

KNUT accuses TSC of being in “total disregard of all laid down procedures and in blatant defiance of the laws provided for under Chapter 10 of the Constitution and Section 13 of the Teachers Service Commission Act”.

“What is being introduced fundamentally alters the negotiated and agreed terms and conditions of service under which the teachers were first employed,” read the KNUT statement.

“Whereas we are not opposed per se, on such management tools geared towards improvement of education, the manner in which they are being sneaked in with impunity means that the Teachers Service Commission absolutely intends to use such tools punitively and to the disadvantage of the teachers and education in the long run.”

KNUT has directed its members not to participate in the process and exercise until teachers get further directions after Teachers Service Commission engages the union in analyzing and agreeing on the evaluation tool.

Late December, TSC announced that teachers would start signing performance contracts in January 2016 in what it termed as a quality and efficiency monitoring plan.

TSC issued a circular to all heads of learning institutions informing them of the initiative of working under the performance contract.

In the circular, TSC said; “Pursuant to section 11 (c) and (f) of the Teachers Service Commission Act 2012, the Commission is mandated to monitor the conduct and performance of teachers in the teaching service.”

“Section 35 further empowers the commission to take all necessary steps to ensure that teachers comply with teaching standards prescribed by the Commission under the Act”.