Aspiring teachers and those in training will now have to contend with new rules released by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regarding registration and recruitment.
Under the new rules, the teachers’ employer has set tight entry grades rules for the educators.
Teachers trained in Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) will now be required to meet a minimum of D+ in Mathematics while those trained in English must score C+ in KCSE to qualify for registration with TSC.
They will also be required to have attained a Mean Grade of C+ in KCSE to access those services.
Previously, there were no specific subject grades for teachers graduating from said institutions and TSC only required them to meet a minimum Grade of C in KCSE.
For university graduates, the TSC wants each of them to have a B- in KCSE in both English and Mathematics; the minimum Mean Grade for graduates will however remain at C+ for KCSE.
TSC said the move was timely and crucial in a bid to retain quality teachers in classrooms.
Under the previous dispensation, graduates were only required to meet the minimum requirements in KCSE and specialize in the mandatory two teaching subjects.
The move has elicited confusion and uncertainty within the teaching fraternity especially those hoping to be employed by the Commission.
For prospective and new teachers, most of whom are still youthful, these new rules will affect their careers, especially recent graduates.
According to a study done by Karatina University in 2016, poor performance in Maths and English subjects in national exams have their source in what teachers scored in their KCSE.
The Commission reasons that if they can tap Form 4 leavers with fairly good performance in the targeted areas, then the quality of teaching in the subjects will significantly be boosted.
This comprehensive study was carried out in Nyandarua county and Bureti in Kericho county.
This report could have influenced the change of policy by TSC to address the problem.
Unlike before, TSC in conjunction with the Ministry of Education have seen the need to have teachers training in universities and colleges to specialize in specific subjects in conformity to the demands of the new CBC curriculum.
By Hillary Muhalia
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
