Starting January, 3,300 school heads and deputies currently serving in acting capacities are set to be confirmed into their roles.
This follows the government’s allocation of one billion shillings to teacher promotions, marking a significant step forward in addressing career stagnation among educators.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have agreed to use these funds to fill critical administrative positions in both primary and secondary schools.
This development comes amid a leadership crisis in 3,359 schools, with data from Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) revealing that 1,918 primary schools lack head teachers while 1,441 secondary schools are without principals.
The reliance on acting school heads has persisted due to a shortage of qualified teachers for leadership roles as noted by TSC CEO Dr Nancy Macharia during a parliamentary engagement.
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The decision to confirm acting school heads follows a persistent lobbying by unions such as KNUT AND KUPPET. KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu highlighted that many educators have served in acting capacities for periods exceeding the legally stipulated 6 months, a situation they have long decried.
KUPPET Chairman Omboko Milemba criticized the 2017 Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) as overly rigid and a major obstacle to teacher promotions.
The agreement reached during a week-long meeting in Naivasha between TSC and KNUT represents collaborative effort to resolve long standing issues. It is expected to boost morale among educators and improve leadership in schools, ensuring a more stable and effective education system.
This move is seen as a victory for educators and a positive step forward in addressing the challenges in Kenya’s education sector.
By Jane Riana
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