In Summary:
- TSC to train 118,000 teachers on CBC
- MPs want TSC to determine a maximum period for Deputies to serve in the position before promotion.
- MPs also concerned on the transfer of teachers particularly principals
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has said it will train some 118,000 teachers in December on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for a cost of Sh1 billion.
“The commission intends to prepare teachers for eventual re-opening of schools through training, capacity building, sensitisation and induction programmes,” Macharia said.
The training is directed at ensuring prosperous implementation of the new Curriculum. In 2019, the TSC trained 339,752 teachers under the CBC at a cost of Kshh400 million.
Of these, 113 223 trained teachers, 22,417 of them from private learning institutions were trained in April while other 121,499 teachers and 23,143 tutors from private schools were trained in December.
During the meeting between TSC boss and parliamentary committee, it appeared that some 55,000 teachers have been promoted this year, with another 3,900 are set for interviews.
The Commission’s data points that some 460 teachers have already been interviewed and will be promoted soon. Parliamentarians expressed concern over the duration some deputy principals have served as acting head-teachers and asked TSC to determine a maximum period for such cases.
The MPs also proposed the urge to develop a policy on the promotion of teachers who have attained the required qualifications to head institutions.
They insisted that fairness considerations must be key in all promotion practices. The MPs also expressed concern over the transfer of teachers, particularly school principals and head-teachers.
They cited various schools in their constituencies that have encountered a great turnover at the administration and management level, adding that transfers affect the operation of the schools.
Macharia, though, said that all vacancies are filled competitively to promote national values, fairness, non-discrimination and equity.
“The criteria used in promotion of teachers include the availability of budget/funds; the existence of vacancies in the authorised establishment; merit and ability as reflected in the teacher’s work performance; academic and professional qualification among others,” she said.
Offences
Apart from teachers promotions, some 1,165 teachers have been punished for several offences. Dr Macharia stated that most teachers have faced disciplinary process for disobedience, immoral behaviour and desertion of duty.
According to Macharia, some teachers were punished for the neglecting duties and examinations irregularity, fraud and forgery, criminal offences, chronic absenteeism and engaging in corporal punishment.
She said that the commission has successfully resolved cases via video conferencing since August 2020 adding that the commission needs Ksh60 million to achieve the Teacher Induction Mentorship and Coaching (TIMEC) programme.
The programme enables mentors/coaches and mentees to interact at an institutional level while at the same time proceeding to perform their regular teaching duties.
