A big sigh of relief for teachers as court nullifies TPD
Over 300,000 TSC employed teachers have breathed a sigh of relief after the labour law court put on hold the Teacher Professional Development (TPD), a vocational that was to commence this December.
In a landmark ruling read on Friday, the judges pointed out that the intended programme is not valid since there is no regulation by TSC on the said programme.
“The teachers professional development will not be implemented because they fall short of the professional development programs prescribed by the TSC,” read part of the judgement. TPD programme is to be determined by regulation.
The disputed programme is not issued through a regulation on parliamentary safeguards,” said Labour court Judge Brain Ongaya. However, as expected the ruling was not welcomed by the TSC. The teachers’ employer body’s attorney Timon Oucho vowed to appeal as he cited mistakes in the labour court ruling.
“We are considering the decision and we are highlighting areas where the judge made fundamental mistakes in law and facts. We will immediately move the matter to court,” Oyucho said. Reacting to the good news Abdiriza Hussein Garissa Branch KNUT Secretary said it was step in the right direction since the TSC hadn’t consulted anybody.
“where on earth did they stalk public participation, the court ruling is a manifestation of the government unpreparedness in implementing the CBC,” said Hussein. He said the TPD was given without advice from any other party. “This means teachers are unprepared,” said Hussein.
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The judgement comes at a time when the TSC had threatened teachers planning not to follow TPD that they risk losing their jobs. “At least teachers can breathe a sigh of relieve and smile for miles because the program was too expensive and they were to do it from own pockets,” said Hussein.
“Given the tough economic condition and the meagre salaries it was a mission impossible,” anonymous teacher in Garissa said. Although the TSC Chief Dr. Nancy Macharia thought the TPD would be beneficial to teachers as it would continually update their skills and make them relevant in the teaching field the labour has thought otherwise.
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“ultimately the court has heard our call by temporarily suspending the TPD as we await for the appeal at least this December will not be in TPD track suit,” said a teacher in Tana.
However another teacher said the judgement is like a seesaw. He cited the time when the Nakuru high court allowed the TPD to go on as the hearing went on. “We are waiting for the one that will have the last laugh, but am sure to enjoy the December holiday without TPD bur went on the teacher.
An education consultant joseph Kara a sued the TSC, KUPPET, KNUT, Kenyatta university, Mt Kenya university, Riara university and Kenya Education management institute over the TPD programme
