TSC demotion of Headteachers
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced a new data collection process to identify the number of primary school headteachers with degrees. They have developed an Excel sheet for headteachers to specify their highest level of education (P1, DEGREE, MASTERS) and other relevant information.
This move is in line with TSC’s efforts to implement the recommendations of the education taskforce, which propose merging and managing nursery, primary, and junior schools under a Principal.
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The proposed unit, known as a Comprehensive school, will be led by a graduate Principal, assisted by deputy principals who must also have at least a bachelor’s degree in education. Currently, many primary school headteachers are P1 teachers without degrees, although some have diplomas. Headteachers with junior secondary sections in their schools were temporarily deployed as principals.
TSC, in the past, did not consider headteachers’ qualifications during promotion, focusing on Grade 7 domiciled at the school. Under current guidelines, headteachers are expected to manage the junior secondary section until December 30, 2023. TSC has a one-year timeline to implement these proposed changes, affecting over 23,000 public primary schools in Kenya. Guidelines for senior teachers under the Principal’s leadership will be developed by TSC and the Ministry of Education.
Headteachers who do not meet the new requirements will face demotion and reduced responsibilities, losing control over school operations and funds. Some schools have encountered challenges in filling administrative positions. The head of the Comprehensive school will have responsibility for all sections within it, and the composition of the School Board of Management (BOM) is expected to change. Additionally, the heads of Comprehensive and senior secondary schools will be accountable to the Ministry of Education, as per proposals from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).
TSC demotion of Headteachers
