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TSC Raises Entry Bar for Teachers, Scraps P1 Certificate
Kenya’s education sector is undergoing significant changes as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) proposes reforms to the laws governing the profession. These changes have elicited mixed reactions from stakeholders within the sector.
A key proposal involves raising the minimum entry qualification for teacher training from the Primary Teachers Certificate (P1) to a diploma level. Additionally, the TSC recommends new entry requirements for teachers, mandating a minimum grade of C plain overall, with at least a D+ in Mathematics and a C- in English.
“We recently collaborated with deans from universities offering teacher education programs to discuss registration requirements,” stated TSC CEO Nancy Macharia. “Our aim is to present a unified front regarding the education sector when addressing Parliament.”
The reform package also outlines measures for streamlining the profession, including regulations for teacher de-registration for various offenses, including sexual misconduct. Additionally, the TSC proposes establishing mandatory and ongoing professional development programs for teachers.
While facing criticism for alleged overreach and exceeding its authority, the TSC maintains that the proposed reforms are guided by the Kenyan constitution and recommendations from a presidential working group focused on education reform.
Meanwhile, the reforms offer positive news for existing teachers, with the TSC planning to promote over 30,000 individuals across various positions. This follows the promotion of 14,000 teachers in the previous financial year.
“We have allocated Ksh1 billion for promotions in the upcoming financial year, aiming to address teacher stagnation concerns,” added Macharia.
Teachers can also expect improvements in medical services through the ongoing development of the teachers’ medical scheme.
TSC Seeks Jobs for Kenyan Teachers in Germany
The Kenyan government is exploring ways to connect qualified teachers with job opportunities overseas, aiming to address a teacher surplus within the country. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), responsible for teacher recruitment and management, is collaborating with the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside other stakeholders, to facilitate this initiative.
TSC Director Legal, Calvin Anyuor, acknowledged the current oversupply of teachers in Kenya, stating, “We have a surplus of teachers in the country, and securing opportunities abroad for them would be a positive step.” He elaborated on their plan to engage with relevant government agencies “so that our teachers can go and teach English in Germany.”
This initiative aims to address the concerns of many unemployed teachers in Kenya. However, Anyuor emphasized the importance of maintaining high teaching standards. “The question is, what is the quality of the teacher you are exporting? Once they are abroad, are they able to deliver effectively?” he questioned.
He further addressed concerns about potentially lowering quality standards for teachers seeking international opportunities, contrasting the approach taken with other professions: “When it comes to teaching, stakeholders seem to accept lower qualifications, but for professions like medicine or law, the standards are high, and no one complains. We cannot expect low-quality teachers to produce high-caliber engineers or pilots,” he stated.
Currently, the TSC employs over 400,000 teachers and plans to integrate 46,000 teacher interns into permanent positions by next year.
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