| YVONNE'S TAKE | TSC JOBS : ASANDE OMWAMI!

Tonight, I want to say thank you. I will tell you who my gratitude goes to, but first, here is why I am grateful. For years, we have sometimes wandered around, seeking opportunities, not knowing where to find them, how they are obtained or who to speak to — especially in this country where it often seems to be about who you know, rather than what you know. And so, shukran zangu za dhati go to the Speaker of the National Assembly. Thank you for letting us know that the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, does not in fact have the mandate to hire teachers, as is enshrined in law. We have been ignorantly going to TSC and ignorantly imagining that we should follow the law. Now we know better. Thank you for letting us know that the letters are issued at State House to MPs. At least now we know where to go. Thank you also for calling out those MPs — and their immorality — for allegedly charging 400,000 shillings for letters they acquired from State House. So now, we can demand “better” — or is it “less”? Because you did not quite state the correct rate. Now, you know this is important information coming from you, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and we cannot help but believe you. You are, after all, third in line to run this country, presiding over one of the three arms of government — the Legislature. Surely, you must know what you are talking about. Indeed, might I add, you hold the esteemed role of a principal in this administration, leading a party that is part of the governing alliance. So, for sure, you must be familiar with how things work in government. Now, because you are the one who knows, may I ask a few questions, please? Now that you have lifted the lid on how teachers can get jobs: One: Were you against the 400,000 shillings reportedly charged by MPs because it is too high? Is there a more reasonable figure you have in mind? Or should it be free? And should the fee be paid through eCitizen, just like other government payments? Two: If we find MPs asking for the 400,000 shillings you are unhappy with, who do we report them to? You, or should we go straight to State House? Three: When getting the letters from MPs, will they ask for the teacher’s qualifications? Do MPs have the capacity to verify those qualifications? I mean, has TSC trained them on how to authenticate the documents? Four: For an MP to receive these letters, do they need any qualifications? Should they sing Tutam, Wantam, or simply walk in quietly, in reverence? Five: Is that documentation even required? Should parents continue spending money to train their children at teachers’ training colleges? I mean, if we can simply get letters from MPs who get them from State House, then perhaps there is no need for real, actual qualifications. Maybe that requirement can be waived? Six: And lastly, I do not know if you have heard, but there are teachers who have been in the same station for nearly ten years. Some have been seeking transfers to different schools and counties. What do you advise? Should they call their MP? Could you help? Should they call you? Please ponder these questions, and hopefully, we shall get some more adequate responses at the next… erm… political rally? In the meantime, I thank you most sincerely. Indeed, a senior official such as yourself shedding light on what was quietly spoken about was very helpful. It also helped bring things out into the open. The rumours were, in fact, true? Kumbe some people had the insider information and were benefiting quietly? Now we all know. Armed with that information, we are knocking on our MPs’ doors tomorrow to get those letters of appointment. We have abandoned TSC from now henceforth. In fact, perhaps we can start thinking about why we need TSC at all. I humbly await your next rally, where you can take this discussion forward. Thank you very much, sir. Asante sana, Omwami.