DEFIANCE? TSC EXTENDS CBL REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR TWO DAYS AS 112, 938 TEACHERS FAIL TO REGISTER
In Summary:
224, 494 teachers have so far registered for the community-based learning program. Approximately 90, 000 more teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission are yet to sign up for the program. Consequently, the Commission has extended the registration deadline by two days to Friday this week to allow the teachers to submit their details ahead of the CBL rollout.
Preliminary data from the Teachers Service Commission, TSC shows that only 224, 494 teachers have signed up for the Community-based learning program. A total of 155, 176 primary tutors have registered with the local TSC officials as instructed by the Commission.
69, 318 secondary school teachers have submitted their details to the nearest TSC offices. The Community based learning program is an alternative way of engaging learners following the sudden closure of schools for an indefinite period of time.
Based on the numbers, it is clear that teachers are willing to comply with government directives.
The Commission is targeting 112, 938 more primary and secondary teachers in the remaining days.
TSC Head of Corporate affairs Ms. Beatrice Wababu said that by the end of Friday, all teachers employed by the Commission would have registered for the rollout.
“We are impressed by the numbers so far. Kindly note that teachers have had a whole week to register and we are expecting 100 percent compliance by end of tomorrow,” noted Wababu.
KUPPET AND KEPSHA WANT TEACHERS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM TO BE VOLUNTARY
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, KUPPET, and the Kenya Primary School Heads Association, KEPSHA however want teachers’ participation to be voluntary.
The two stakeholders argue that with the possibility of community infection and vulnerability of some teachers to coronavirus, the program should not be made mandatory.
“This exercise should be voluntary. Its structure should allow teachers to participate at will,” said KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori.
Misori further added that teachers who fall in the Covid-19 vulnerable group should be exempted from the program.
“Teachers above 58 years should shun the program and observe the World Health Organization protocols
UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE GRADUATES, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGISTS TO BE INCORPORATED IN CBL
Proposals have been made to incorporate university and college graduates, social workers, and professional counselors into the Community Based Learning program to ensure its success.
Volunteers from faith-based organizations and community health workers have also been proposed to supplement teachers once CBL is rolled out.
KEPSHA chair Nicholas Gatemia has also reiterated the fact that the safety of learners and teachers should be paramount at all times.
“This program is noble and we support it but let us allow teachers who feel they cannot participate because of health concerns or other reasons stay at home and keep safe,” he said.
