The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Chairman for Kakamega East Sub-county, Bro. Nelson Ilamoka, has voiced a strong call for the reform of the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), highlighting the challenges many teachers face due to stagnation in their career progression. His comments, made during a recent funeral in Kakamega County, reflect the deep concerns within the teaching profession regarding the current guidelines, which he argues have hindered the professional growth of many educators.
At the center of Ilamoka’s remarks was the issue of prolonged stagnation within job groups, which, according to him, has become a significant barrier to teachers’ career advancement. He pointed out that many teachers, especially those in job groups P1 and P2, remain stuck in the same position for extended periods, with limited opportunities for promotion. This stagnation, he believes, negatively impacts both the morale of educators and the overall quality of teaching within schools.
The issue of career progression was thoroughly discussed during the recent KNUT delegates’ conference in Mombasa, where numerous resolutions were made to address various challenges facing the teaching profession. A key resolution, as Ilamoka revealed, focused on the urgent need to reform the CPG. This reform, he explained, is crucial to ensuring that teachers are not only fairly compensated but also provided with the opportunity to progress in their careers based on merit and experience.
According to Ilamoka, it is unlawful for a teacher to remain in the same job group for more than three years, yet many educators continue to face this situation. He made it clear that this issue should not be taken lightly and urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government to act swiftly in reviewing and revising the CPG. The lack of proper career advancement opportunities has led to disillusionment among teachers, who feel undervalued despite their dedication to the profession.
In his appeal to the TSC and the government, Ilamoka emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the CPG, one that would address the concerns of teachers across all job groups, with particular attention to those in the lower ranks. He called for a system that would allow for more frequent promotions, taking into account the experience and qualifications of teachers, as well as the increased responsibilities they often take on in their schools.
Aside from his advocacy for reform in career progression, Ilamoka also took the opportunity to address the parents of students in Kakamega County. With the Christmas season upon them, he reminded parents of the importance of balancing festive celebrations with the financial responsibilities of funding their children’s education. As schools prepare to reopen on January 6, 2025, Ilamoka urged parents to ensure they have made the necessary financial preparations to support their children’s schooling. He emphasized that despite the holiday season, the government would not alter the scheduled reopening date, and parents should be prepared for the start of the school year.
“During this festive period, remember your responsibility to fund your children’s education,” Ilamoka stated. “The government will not delay the school opening date, which remains set for January 6, 2025.” His message served as a timely reminder to parents to prioritize their children’s education while enjoying the holidays.
The call for reform in the Career Progression Guidelines, as articulated by Ilamoka, underscores a growing concern among teachers in Kenya. With many educators feeling stuck in their careers and struggling with the lack of promotion opportunities, it is clear that changes to the CPG are needed to ensure a more motivated and skilled teaching workforce. The ball now lies in the court of the Teachers Service Commission and the government to address these issues and support the development of the teaching profession in Kenya.
As the new year approaches and schools prepare to open their doors, the hope is that both teachers and parents will see improvements in the education sector that will lead to better outcomes for students across the country. For now, however, the focus remains on ensuring fair and equitable career advancement for teachers, with the goal of creating a stronger, more effective education system.
