The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has scrapped off the primary teachers’ certificate courses popularly known as P1.
In the TSC 2024 Amendment Bill, the Commission proposes that the training of teachers begin from the diploma level.
“In Kenya now teachers are going to be trained as diploma and not P1 certificate both for ECDE, primary while for secondary you’ll be doing diploma and the degree itself at the University,” noted Dr Reuben Mugwuku, Director Teacher Professional Management TSC.
The Commission stated that it is engaging stakeholders from the education sector and teaching profession as it finalizes changes in the bill.
“All the TSC is proposing is that score C (plain) and at least a D in Mathematics and a C-(minus) in English. If you do an analysis of the KCSE results, the worst subjects are always Mathematics and Languages,” said Cavin Anyuor, Director TSC.
Teachers Already in College
However, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia said the Commission will consult with the ministry of education to decide the fate of such teachers who are already in colleges.
“To the teachers who are in colleges who may not necessarily have the requisite qualifications, we are consulting with the ministry, and I know at the end of the day we shall have a solution as to what will happen. I don’t think this is something that should worry as so much,” she said.
Also Read: MPs Demand Audit of TSC Payroll Amid Corruption Allegations
TSC New Measures
TSC has also suggested a rough of measures to streamline the teaching profession.
This includes circumstances under which a teacher can be deregistered including sexual offences.
The Commission is also moving to entrench continuous professional development for teachers to make the profession attractive.
“So, we are saying a teacher who fails to undertake the described continuous development or take out a practicing certificate shall not be allowed to teach,” said Anyuor.
Also Read: Govt Announces Plan to Export Teachers Abroad
Promotions
Macharia further said the Commission is in the process of promoting 36,505 teachers in the financial year 2023/24 adding that TSC has been allocated Ksh.1 billion for promotion in the financial year 2024/2025.
“So, the issue of stagnation in teaching will hopefully be over soon because we are getting funding from the government,” she said.
The teachers have also been assured of better health services as the teacher’s medical scheme continues to better it’s approach to deliver services.
TSC has come into sharp criticism from stakeholders over some of the proposed amendments in the laws.
