TSC WANTS PETITION CHALLENGING EXTENDED CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS, CBL ROLL OUT DISMISSED: READ THE FULL DETAILS ABOUT WHAT TSC IS UP TO

TSC WANTS PETITION CHALLENGING EXTENDED CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS, CBL ROLL OUT DISMISSED: READ THE FULL DETAILS ABOUT WHAT TSC IS UP TO

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Community based learning, CBL News

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC is a beehive of activities geared towards seeking the dismissal of a petition filed by a parent, Joseph Aura challenging the closure of schools and community-based learning rollout.

The Community-based learning was to be rolled out at the beginning of this month but it was temporarily halted after one parent, Mr. Aura-father of three filed a petition last month seeking to stop the CBL rollout. Instead, he demanded that schools be reopened in September 2020as earlier announced to avoid “unnecessary” wastage of learners’ precious time.

Through an affidavit sworn by TSC director-in charge of quality assurance and standards Reuben Nthamburi, the Commission has pointed a finger at Mr. Aura for not minding about the learners’ welfare and appreciating the fact that the government is committed to reopening schools once the virus cases nosedive.

TSC GUIDELINES ON COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING

The Commission had already made a head start after the majority of the teachers enrolled for the program within two weeks.

The Commission had also issued guidelines on how the Community-based learning program will be conducted.

The program targets over 10 million learners. All TSC employed teachers will be mapped out and allocated Nyumba Kumi where they will be teaching.

No teacher will be forced to travel to offer community lessons during the pandemic. However, heads of institutions will have to report to their schools at least once a week or when called upon to do so to assist teachers in their venues access teaching materials and to perform other administrative duties.

Teachers are expected to report to their venues daily from Monday to Friday for the exercise. The venues which include various community spaces such as churches and social halls will be identified by the chiefs.

Teachers are expected to engage learners for 4-5 hours after which they will issue a report on the activities carried out to curriculum support officers and sub-county directors of education.

The Commission has further directed teachers to utilize their innovation to capture learners’ attention throughout the sessions.

Proposed learning activities include values, life skills, environmental education, physical activities, education activities, literacy, numeracy, health and fitness, and other academic activities based on the learners’ age and level.

The program will run for an indefinite period since the education ministry has not announced the official reopening dates.

Psychosocial support will also be provided to enable learners to navigate through severe challenges bordering on teen pregnancy, parental loss, sickness, sexual abuse among others.

COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING CURRICULUM

The question many teachers are asking themselves now is what curriculum will be followed to ensure that learners are at par.

This pertinent issue has also been raised by some   KUPPET branch secretaries.

According to the latest TSC guidelines, the curriculum for the community- based learning will be posted by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD next week.

This will make planning easier. However, teachers do not have to stick to the curriculum for they will require a lot of innovation to make learning more interesting and expand learning activities.

This curriculum will not be used to cover the syllabus.