The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has rejected some of the proposals by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) for lack of proper consultation.
Among other things, the working party had recommended that TSC officials ought to seek permission from the Ministry of Education before visiting schools.
Furthermore, the task force asked the Ministry of Education to draft criteria to guide a one-year mandatory upgrading program for tutors who graduated before 2023 to comply with the curriculum shift.
At the same time, the Presidential Working Party wanted the Ministry of Education to review the entry grades for pre-service teaching programs.
The task force finally recommended the establishment of a comprehensive school system where all levels of learning are managed as one institution from PP1 to grade 9.
Also Read: TSC Teachers’ Recruitment Exercise Still On Amid Low Turnouts
Why TSC Boss Nancy Macharia Rejected Recommendations
However, TSC boss Nancy Macharia rejected the recommendation to allow only retrained teachers to teach in schools, adding was wrongly given to the Ministry of education without reference to the ongoing retooling by the Commission.
Additionally, Macharia noted that the move would restrict employment opportunities for teachers and alter the already existing registration requirements.
According to TSC, they had already retrained 229,292 primary school teachers and 49,540 Junior Secondary School teachers.
“The in-service teachers are already employed and managed by TSC. All post teacher training and capacity building initiatives will be coordinated by the commission in accordance with the Employment Act.
“The Commission cannot discriminate against teachers who have not upgraded for compliance during registration and employment,” Macharia stated.
Also Read: TSC Announces Promotion of 36,000 Teachers and Application Deadline
Regarding the review of admission grades, TSC noted that the recommended entry grades did not align with the existing TSC requirements.
Further, Macharia stated that the entry grades ought to be in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Concerning the management of all levels of learning as a single institution, Macharia noted that it was a matter for county governments, adding that the move will increase the number of institutional administrators.
TSC Proposals to Parliament
Subsequently, TSC asked the National Assembly to develop a legal framework for the establishment of comprehensive schools.
TSC noted that the framework would provide for either a transfer of functions from developed units to the national government or constitutional amendments.
