Tertiary Education Commission In Turmoil …As Staff Members Pass a Vote of No Confidence Against the Chairman

Staff members of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) have passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman of the Commission Professor A.M Alghali based on what they described as abuse of office and intimidation of staff by the Chairman.
In a letter written to Commissioners, the staff members informed of a peaceful, quiet and non-compliance sit down strike. They informed the Commissioners that a formal petition letter has been written to the Minister of Technical and Higher Education informing her of intimidation of staff and abuse of office by the Chairman of the Commission.
They maintained that after careful deliberations, they have unanimously resolved that they will no longer work with the Chairman nor comply with any directives or instructions emanating from him util the issues raised in the petition letter are thoroughly addressed.
Out of a total of 18 staff members of the Commission, 16 of the signed the petition, the two are equally willing to sign but were absent due to leave of office.
They stated that since the inception of the TEC, the Executive Secretary has always been the Vote Controller but that the Chairman is the one signing all cheques at the Commission thereby serving as the Vote Controller.
That he (the Chairman) takes all decisions in the secretariat before reporting to the Commission/Board and also chairs management meetings in place of the Executive Secretary.
That he does not give free hands to the Executive Secretary to perform his tasks which they said has led to the resignation of two Executive Secretaries within two years.
They disclosed that he has secured an office space at the secretariat, interfering in the day to day running of the secretariat adding that staff morale is at its lowest level as staff face molestation and embarrassment from him.
They also stated that even though, there is policy of TEC that staff who have official vehicles are not entitled to monthly fuel, the Chairman has an official vehicle and also collect the monthly fuel allowance.
In his response to the accusations, Professor A.M Algahli said that he heard a letter was written to the Ministry but he was not copied.
He stated that he is unaware of the claims and directed that the New speaks to the Ministry or the General Commission.
Efforts made to reach the minister prove fruitless as she failed to respond.
The staff of the Commission affirmed that they remain committed to the effective discharge of their professional duties and responsibilities but that they are equally resolute that a conducive working environment free from intimidation, dictatorship and victimization must be preserved in the best interest of the Commission and the higher education sector at large.