The trainers are currently sourced, retained and promoted by TSC. Desai said flexible recruitment and promotions criteria for trainers is part of Ministry effort to create independent structures to promote high-level quality of training. It also means that the trainers will fall under new remuneration regime. Under the new scheme TVET trainers will only be required to provide their highest qualifications to be hired or promoted. Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has openly protested against the transfer of the teachers claiming that the affected staff are its members. In a letter to TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, Kuppet secretary general Akelo Misori says that the move was ill informed. “We want to reiterate that TVET teachers are employees of TSC and not any other state agency or commission and any attempt to unilaterally transfer them is illegal, procedural and in blatant breach of the constitution and international labour practices” said Misori. In their protest letter dated July 3, Kuppet questions whether the Attorney General’s opinion was sought on the transfers and if individual teachers were consulted.
The union also demanded that the process be subjectew3d to public participation and structured negotiations initiated. Kuppet national secretary for secondary Edward Obwocha said a proper Memorandum of Understanding drawn before transfer is implemented. The PS argued that the transfers are part of high-level reforms being undertaken by the Ministry of Education to promote quality assurance and governance of the institutions and to link graduates to small and medium entrepreneurship.
