TSC Improves service delivery , raises teacher qualifications
Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia.
Teachers whose registration certificate is lost, misplaced or destroyed will now have a chance to apply for a duplicate Certificate of Registration from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) online without necessarily going in person to the Commission’s headquarters to apply for it.
In a memo to all TSC regional and county directors, the Commission moved the services to its online system effective February 7, 2022. It was signed by Dr. Reuben Nthamburi on behalf of the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and dated February 2, 2022.
Teachers will now be required to pay a non-refundable fee of Sh.2,060.
“The Code of Regulation for Teachers (2015), Regulation 32 (1) and (2) state that the Commission may on application issue a Duplicate Certificate of Registration to a person whose Certificate of Registration is lost, destroyed or misplaced upon payment of non-refundable fee of Ksh 2,060,” reads the memo in part.
According to the Commission, the move is aimed at reducing the number of teachers who frequently visit the Commission headquarters for the service, creating unnecessary human traffic. It also cuts down on costs for teachers in terms of money and time.
“The teachers requiring Duplicate/Replacement of certificates have been visiting the Commission for this service in person hence creating unnecessary human traffic,” adds the memo.
The Commission has further advised teachers to return the certificate to the Commission where there needs to be a change affecting particulars entered in the Commission’s register such as an error in ID number, names and postal addresses. However, there must be explanations or declarations to justify the proposed changes.
Where the full name is changed on account of marriage, the Commission has advised the affected teachers to provide proof of marriage, and in this case, a marriage certificate.
Last year, the commission moved all teachers’ leave of absence online effective December 1, 2021 in a move that is aimed at improving service delivery to its employees and stakeholders.
Recruitment, promotions and transfer of teachers have also been moved online in an apparent step towards the Commission providing most of its services online to improve service delivery in line with its 2019-2023 strategic plan.
According to the Code of Regulations for Teachers, a person is eligible to be registered as a teacher if the person is of good moral character, holds relevant academic and professional qualification from a training institution recognized in Kenya, and meets the requirements for registration set by the Commission from time to time.
Most recently, the Commission came up with a new policy highlighting requirements for those wishing to enter the teaching service where it proposed to remodel the Bachelor of Education programme and replace it with Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BSC) plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from September 2021.
This meant that in the near future, the Commission will only register and employ teachers after successful completion of a professional postgraduate diploma.
According to the proposed policy framework, the entry grade into BA or BSC is pegged at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C+ with a B-(Minus) in three teaching subjects.
This is a shift from the current arrangement where universities admit students into the Bachelor of Education programme with a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) or its equivalent with C+ (plus) in two subjects of specialization. Tutors at this level teach three subjects at junior and senior secondary ranks.
The minimum qualification for entry into teaching service in Kenya at all levels is a Diploma in Education; that is, Diploma in Primary Teacher Education and Early Childhood Development Education – with those with P1 certificates being encouraged to upgrade to Diploma.
The latest revised entry qualifications for Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education is KCSE mean grade of C (plain) with C (plain) in all the subjects. Teachers at this level qualify to instruct in all subjects at PP1 and PP2.
For Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE), the requirement is a minimum KCSE mean grade of C (plain) or its equivalent and C (plain) in all the cluster subjects. Tutors at this level teach all subjects from Grades 1-6, with some specializations in indigenous and foreign languages.
Furthermore, for Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education, the entry qualifications for registration is a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) in KCSE with C+ in three teaching subjects. Teachers at this point will teach three subjects at Junior (Grades 7-9) or Senior (Grades 10-12) secondary ranks.
What’s more, Diploma in Education SNE (Foundations, Primary and Lower Secondary Specialized Areas) will require a minimum mean grade of C (plain) or its equivalent at KCSE, with C- (minus) in all subject clusters. Consequently teachers at this level are to teach all subjects at foundation, intermediate, Pre-vocational and vocational levels at Primary and Lower Secondary ranks.
For Diploma in Technical Teacher Education Secondary, the new registration requirements are a minimum mean grade of C+ or its equivalent at KCSE, with C+ in three teaching subjects. Teachers at this level instruct in three subjects at Junior or Senior secondary. However, candidates with relevant diplomas and certificates in relevant technical subjects are considered for admission.
