Nairobi, August 22, 2023 - The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) issued a decisive response on Tuesday to counter widespread rumors surrounding proposed changes to academic prerequisites for primary school headteachers. Denying the claims, the TSC emphasized that it had no intention of demoting headteachers without bachelor's degrees and also quashed reports about a mass data collection initiative to identify teachers with P1 certificates and diplomas.
The commission took to social media to address the matter succinctly: "We wish to inform the public to ignore this fake article being circulated through social media," TSC stated, dismissing the misleading information that had gained traction.
The misleading narrative stemmed from a proposal put forth by the President’s Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), suggesting a unification of nursery, primary, and junior schools under a single principal. While this proposal ignited concerns among teachers about the potential need for further education, the PWPER's recommendation did not include the demotion of educators based on revised academic prerequisites.
Instead, PWPER's recommendation was centered on the Ministry of Education adopting a Comprehensive School system (PP1 — Grade 9), encompassing Pre-Primary, Primary, and Junior School levels, managed holistically as a singular institution. The intention was to foster alignment with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and enhance teacher effectiveness.
To support the CBC, the task force advocated for a mandatory one-year retooling program for pre-service training graduates, ensuring alignment with the new curriculum and facilitating the development and retention of skilled educators.
The TSC also remains focused on enhancing school leadership. While the commission plans to appoint three deputy headteachers in each school, specifics regarding promotion criteria, whether based on service years or academic qualifications, are yet to be disclosed.
As part of its data collection, the TSC requested school administrators to provide details such as their highest education level attained (P1, Degree, Masters) in an Excel file. The commission clarified that this exercise was not an endeavor to reward teachers solely based on academic credentials.
TSC had already ceased employing teachers holding only a primary school certificate, raising the bar with a new requirement of a Diploma in Primary Education. Furthermore, TSC has set a deadline of 2024 to cease permanent employment of P1 teachers, encouraging those with P1 certificates to pursue further studies.
As the education landscape continues to evolve, the TSC's clarification stands as a crucial reassurance to educators and the public alike, alleviating concerns about potential demotions and emphasizing the commission's commitment to enhancing teacher competency within the context of progressive educational reforms.