Month: September 2019

TSC PLANS TO DIGITIZE TEACHERS’ FILES
The Teachers Service Commission in Kenya plans to digitize the files of all Kenyan teachers.
This will make storage and retrieval of teachers’ files easier.
This digital process encompasses a bulk SMS system for supervision of learners by both teachers and parents.

TSC BACKS UP CBC AND ICT INTEGRATION IN LEARNING
In summary:
Last year’s winner of the Principal of the Year Award (POYA) in Eastern Region Ms Florence Igweta has received her award.
She is the principal of Chuka Girls High School located in Tharaka Nithi County.
The Teachers Service Commission’s third annual open day was held at Chuka University in Tharaka Nithi County.
The forum brought together all education stakeholders from four counties.
Dr Lydia Nzomo, the TSC chair said that the commission is willing to promote the integration of ICT in its system to enhance quality learning in Kenyan schools.
Its major focus is the installation of biometric attendance registers for both learners and teachers in schools.
She also urged education stakeholders especially teachers to embrace the new Competency-Based Curriculum.

DR. NANCY MACHARIA HALTS TRANSFERS FOR TEACHERS MARRIED TO COLLEAGUES
In summary
There will be no transfers for teachers with extreme medical conditions.
Teachers who have attained the age of 56 years will also be spared.
Teachers’ unions KNUT and KUPPET have however opposed this announcement.

In summary:
The Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Wilson Sossion will remain in office.
This decision was arrived at by the labour court.
The labour court also said that Mr Sossion will continue serving in his capacity until a general election is conducted to replace him.
Judge Hellen Wasilwa said that the malicious meeting convened to advocate for his oust was illegal and in contempt of court.
Mr Sossion had been ousted following his “unbecoming conduct”.

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CLEARS THE AIR ON CBC
In summary:
All pupils who are currently undertaking this test shall be promoted to Grade 4 next year. No pupil will be forced to repeat for being a failure.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is collecting data from all schools across the country to inform its future policies.
The Ministry of Education has finally given the long-awaited for maiden remarks about the ongoing Grade three CBC assessment tests. These examinations kicked off last week amidst a few bottle-necks.

Some of the major challenges voiced by teachers include overwhelming numbers of pupils and inadequate examination materials.
Besides, teachers have also argued that the tests are too shallow. They may thus not fully depict the true picture of the learners’ skills and competencies.