MP wants teacher recruitment, deployment criteria revised

Homa Bay County Woman Rep Joyce Bensuda

MPs are set to conduct a probe on the recruitment criteria and deployment of teachers in schools across the country.

Members of National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education will conduct the probe following a request by Homa Bay County Woman Rep Joyce Bensuda.

Seeking a statement from the committee, Bensuda noted that concerns have been raised about recruitment and deployment of teachers, particularly cases where schools receive newly recruited teachers who have a year or less to retirement.

“Schools that receive teachers who are nearing retirement experience disruptions in teaching and the teachers lack the time to integrate into the school system or form meaningful relationships with students,” she said.

“This leads to reduced investment in student welfare as the teachers may lack sustained commitment to the school, which in turn affects academic performance and management of schools.”

Bensuda noted that International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Unesco practices on teacher management and deployment emphasises stability and continuity in the teaching profession to ensuring quality education.

“However, the current deployment of teachers nearing retirement does not align with these best practices, leading to disparities in educational performance among schools,” she stated.

The committee will seek to establish the procedures used in the recruitment and deployment of teachers to ensure that there is stability and continuity for both the teachers and students.

It has also been asked to table a report on the recruitment criteria of teachers based on school demographics, indicating whether the student population and school needs are a consideration.

The committee will further seek to establish measures put in place by the ministry of Education to ensure that teachers are absorbed while in their prime in order to maximise on their long-term teaching expertise.

The committee will also outline existing policies on the maximum number of schools per region, ward or area and how they influence teacher recruitment and deployment to ensure equitable distribution of teachers in all schools.