Category Education News

In a sit down with KTN News, the lecturer of the unnamed Kenyan university identified only as Frank Lumumba disclosed that he had faced hardship raising two-month rent as well as putting a meal on his table and had to take up odd jobs to make ends meet.

He further hinted that he was forced to sell some of his household items as the pandemic affected the country’s economy and paralysed various industries moreso, education.

“As you can see now, you realise my TV, a 32 inch, is missing. There was a microwave there, there was fridge there. Now when you look around, they are not there.

In a circular Wednesday to Regional Coordinators of Education and County Directors of Education, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang says the data used for this capitation was extracted from National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) earlier this month.

In regards to payment of salaries to school employees, he said in January 2020, the Ministry of Education released 50% of FDSE funds to schools which included P.E funds up to June 2020. In this regard he said Ksh 3,226 per learner should be utilized in the payment of salaries to non-teaching staff, water and electricity bills as well as administrative costs up to December 2020.

On utilization of maintenance and improvement funds, the PS said a total annual allocation for Maintenance and Improvement (M&l) was Ksh 5,000 of which Ksh 4,000 was disbursed in January 2020.  He noted that an additional Ksh 500.00 per learner has been released to enable schools prepare for re-opening in January 2021 to conform to COVID-19 guidelines.

Consequently, he noted that the contents of a circular dated 26th November 2019 on the amounts for M&l will change to Ksh 4,500.00.

Dr Kipsang said the Ministry of Education will support teachers employed by the Boards of Management (BOMs) as at 15th March 2020 for six months only form July to December 2020 by paying them Ksh.10,000.00 per month.

“Each teacher must sign for the money personally and records kept for later auditing. Payment should be made monthly and not in advance, Schools with BOM teachers will receive a separate commensurate disbursement based on the data obtained from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in to their operation account. Only teachers with TSC numbers will benefit from this package. This circular supersedes the one dated 20^th August, 2020.” He said

He further stated that Edu Afya medical cover for students in public secondary schools is operational and principals are required to advise students accordingly and offer support to learners/parents whenever they encounter any challenge with their UPI.

He said all principals must acknowledge receipt of funds by issuing official school receipts to the Principal Secretary, State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education for both Tuition and Operation Accounts with copies to the Sub County Directors (SCDEs) and County Directors of Education (CDEs); acknowledging receipt of funds through NEMIS by uploading a copy of the official receipt for both accounts where applicable; providing to the County Director of Education through the Sub- County Director of Education an allocation of funds dully signed by individual students and having Individual students sign form-lists that show their admission numbers and full names as in the admission register and the amount awarded. These lists should be attached to the payment voucher kept in the school as per procedure and every student issued with a school official receipt for the allocation.

He specified that this must be accomplished within two weeks of receipt of funds, failure to which further release of grants to such schools will be suspended.

“It is the responsibility of every County Director and Sub-County Director of Education to authenticate and monitor the accuracy of enrolment data of their schools as reflected in NEMIS. All County Directors of Education are asked to circulate the contents of this letter to all principals of public secondary schools within their jurisdiction.” He added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged African countries to make quick arrangement that will see schools reopen to save children from suffering.

Commenting on the matter, UNICEF regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, said that the long-term impact of extending the school shutdown caused harm to the children’s future.

“When we balance the harm being done to children locked out of schools, and if we follow the evidence, it leads children back into the classroom,” Malick stated.

WHO regional director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti stated that schools paved way for success for many Africans as well as provided a safe haven for children in challenging situations.

“We must not be blind-sided by our efforts to contain Covid-19 and end up with a lost generation. Just as countries are opening businesses safely, we can reopen schools,” he said.

Education CS George Magoha has insisted that learning will take place under the Community Based Learning program. TSC data shows that at least 225,000 teachers have registered for the program. The education CS also said the Community Based Learning has no official syllabus but its upon the teacher to decide on the content.

The teachers service commission has called on the public and teachers alike, to ignore the 2019/2020 teacher recruitment guidelines that are circulating on social media with the year falsely changed to read 2020/2021 terming it as a con that is misleading.

Through a tweet on there account TSC said it is yet to release the 2020/2021 recruitment guidelines urging the public to apply when the job advertisement is made public through the media including Interns who are eligible to apply for permanent positions.

Teacher Service Commission is a body responsible for the following:

• Recruiting and employing registered teachers,
• Assigning teachers to various institutions,
• Promoting and transferring teachers,
• Exercising disciplinary control over teachers.

The commission gives teachers equal terms and conditions of work. TSC has set recruitment requirements for both primary and secondary teachers in Kenya that must be met before one is employed.

Applicants applying for posts in Primary schools must be holders of a P1 certificate. Interested candidates should apply to the TSC County Director, in the County where a vacancy has been advertised and submit all relevant academic and professional documents. Successful candidates are deployed to serve in any part of
the country.

Applicants applying for posts in Secondary Schools must be holders of a minimum of Diploma in Education Certificate. Interested candidates should apply to the Secretary, Board of Management of the school where a vacancy has been advertised and submit a copy of the application to the TSC County Director.

Requirements for one to be employed/Recruited by TSC 

1. You must be a Kenyan citizen

2. You must be 45 years of age and below

3. You must be registered as a teacher as per Section 23 of the Teachers Service Commission Act 2012. Those without registration certificates must attach a printout of the online application /copy of payment receipt of the application for registration

4. You must have original Professional and Academic Certificates

TSC Recruitment Requirements for employment of P1 teacher

Primary teachers are usually employed through selection. During the selection day one should carry the following original documents to sub-county selection panel;

1. National Identity card.
2. CPE/KCPE certificate (including first attempt certificate if one repeated exam).
3. PTE certificate.
4. School/college leaving certificates.

Candidates without academic and professional certificates must show evidence of having applied for confirmation from KNEC and it is the owners of the concerned teacher to follow up with KNEC within 14 days.

Sub county selection panel shall include the following;

1. Sub-County Director – Chairperson
2. TSC Sub-County Human Resource Officer – Secretary
3. All zonal Curriculum Support Officer – Members

TSC Requirement for Secondary school teacher

A secondary school teacher can either be a graduate or a diploma holder

Graduate Teachers

• A minimum mean grade of a C+ at KCSE and a minimum mean grade of C+ in each of the two teaching subjects or a minimum of 2 principles and 1 subsidiary pass at ‘A’ Level.
• Bachelor of education degree with 2 teaching subjects
• Bachelor of Science with education or Arts Degree with education with two teaching subjects

Diploma Teachers

• Diploma in Education from a recognized Teacher Training Institution
• A minimum grade of C+ at KCSE and with at least C+ OR credit pass in the two teaching subjects or a minimum of 1 principle and 2 subsidiaries at A-level.

Diploma teachers who graduated in 2008 or before with mean grade C plain and subject grades of C plain qualify for consideration.

TSC Requirements for Technical Teachers

• Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ at KCSE or a minimum of 1 principle and 2 subsidiaries at A-level.
• Bachelor of Education Technology degree ( Bed Tech) OR
• Bachelor of Science in any relevant technical subject/course
• Higher Diploma in a technical course
• A Diploma in a technical course

One should have a Diploma from Kenya Technical Teachers College or Post Graduate Diploma in education ( PDGE) from a recognized university.

For TVET Institutions, the applicant must have a minimum of a higher diploma or degree in Technical education.

• Applicants with a mean grade of C- and have applied for technical subjects in TVET institutions but have progressed through certificate, diploma, higher diploma, or degree qualify for employment in TVET institutions.
• Persons With Disability – Hearing impaired and blind, are admitted for training with a mean grade C plain and C plain in two teaching subjects thus eligible for employment .
• For applicants trained in Special Needs Education; KSL and Braille are considered as teaching subjects i.e Biology/ KSL, Geography / Braille hence eligible for employment.

• Candidates whose training is in subjects that are not in the Kenyan Curriculum don’t qualify for employment irrespective of undertaking a Post Graduate Diploma in education and enhancement.
• Applicants with Economics/Accounting, Social Education, and Ethics can apply for business studies and CRE/IRE vacancies respectively.
• Diploma teachers with English /other subjects qualify for employment as Teacher/Literature teachers.
• All applicants must have studied the two teaching subjects at KCSE except for agriculture, business studies, Home Science, and computer. For those who did not study business studies and computer, one should attain a minimum of a C+ in mathematics in KCSE. For those who did not study agriculture and home science, one should have attained a minimum of C+ in biology at KCSE.
• Graduate teachers should have studied a minimum of 8-course units in each teaching subjects.
• Candidates presenting enhancements certificates/ transcripts from recognized institutions qualify for employment.
• Applicants previously employed under contract and whose were terminated due to inadequate units in teaching subjects and have since obtained enhancement certificates are eligible to apply.
• Applicants working in other government departments who meet the requirements are eligible to apply.

TSC Filing of a complaint Form in case of Dissatisfaction during recruitment exercise

Any candidate who is dissatisfied with the whole exercise of employment should complain immediately in writing to the TSC county director and a copy sent to TSC headquarters within a period of not more than 7 days after the selection exercise. TSC county director will analyze such complaints and submit a report to TSC headquarters with necessary recommendations.

TSC Contacts Address and website

For detailed information on available vacancies in sub-counties and schools/institutions applicants
are advised to:
a) Visit the TSC Website www.tsc.go.ke

b)info@tsc.go.ke

c) Phone 020 289 200
c) Visit the TSC office at the County or Sub-county of their choice.

Teachers training colleges-TTC in Kenya offer golden opportunities to KCSE candidates who have scored a minimum grade of C plain to pursue primary teacher education  either  P1 or diploma.

However, before pursuing a course in diploma education its important to ensure that you satisfy the minimum requirements so that after completion you do not find yourself at crossroads with Teachers Service Commission-TSC a body that is mandated with the registration of teachers in Kenya.

Once you have ensured you meet all the minimum requirements the next puzzle is to look for a good teacher training college that will impart you with appropriate skills and Knowledge.

Here is a list of registered public Teachers training colleges per county

Here is a list registered private teachers training colleges in Kenya

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has registered 224,494 tutors in readiness for community-based learning that the government hopes will keep students busy as schools remain closed.

The number is 67 per cent of the 337,432 teachers the commission has employed.

The remaining 112, 938 teachers are expected to register by tomorrow.

However, poor coordination and communication threaten to stall the project even before it takes off.

Teachers, government administrators and health officials have decried lack of clear directions on how to execute the plan.

Little has been done to reassure Kenyans of the safety of their children despite many expressing fears.

«Nyumba Kumi officials should be responsible for the safety of children,» Mr Maiyo said Wednesday. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers and the Kenya National Union of Teachers support the idea but Kuppet opposed calls by teachers for a risk allowance. The scheme will be run by the Education Ministry and the TSC with support from Health and Interior ministries.

Teachers to be briefed

TSC communications head Betty Wababu said teachers would be briefed on the plan once registration is over. «Why is he now saying children in primary and secondary school should meet in villages without ascertaining adherence to health protocols?» Mr Stephen Mwangi from Embu County asked.

COVID 19 is here with us. Those who will be alive tomorrow are the few who will swallow their pride today. So last week I drive past Windsor hotel, a beautiful place, I saw cars turned into a complete market.

I decided to entertain myself ( am a people person). I decided to buy from the sleekest cars. A BMW X3 was a good place to start, here I bought onions packed in a kasuku, they were emptied into one of my rear carpets. This lady is an IT technician, I engaged her quite a bit, a holder of a Computer Science degree and a masters in some science field..a consultant who is very well traveled. But with Covid, she cant fly. She has a mortgage and car loan to pay. Her BMW is now her shop..

At least 10,000 teachers will be hired under a new stimulus package to mitigate coronavirus effects on education.

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday said the government had secured Sh6.5 billion to hire teachers and 1,000 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interns.

And 250,000 new desks manufactured by local artisans will be delivered to schools as part of measures to boost infrastructure in readiness for reopening.

1. The Broadcaster: Reads from a textbook and asks students to make notes. After the lesson this one, too, heads to the staffroom for a tea break. They act like they’ve made it in life.

2. The Delegator: Delegates work to the learner with the best handwriting and the monitor. On sosho media during lessons.

3. The Makeup Artist; applies too much makeup and fashion-conscious. Dresses skimpily. They teach mostly Literature and English.