This archive report was first published on 20 August 2020.
As schools remain closed, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has taken a significant step towards implementing the government's community-based learning programme by registering 224,494 tutors.
Published on August 20, 2020, this move is part of the government's efforts to keep students engaged and learning during the closure of schools.
According to the TSC, the registered tutors make up 67 per cent of the 337,432 teachers the commission has employed. The remaining 112,938 teachers are expected to register by tomorrow.
However, the programme's success is threatened by poor coordination and communication, with teachers, government administrators, and health officials expressing concerns over the lack of clear directions on how to execute the plan.
Despite these challenges, the Kenya National Parents Association has begun working on guidelines for implementing the programme, with Association chairman Nicholas Maiyo stating that the guidelines for parents are expected to be ready next week.
Mr Maiyo emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of children, saying, 'Nyumba Kumi officials should be responsible for the safety of children.'
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers support the idea of community-based learning but have expressed concerns over the lack of proper debriefing and the potential risks involved.
Education officials have assured that teachers will be briefed on the plan once registration is over, and that learners will be taught life skills. The government has also set aside cash for amenities like hand washing points, soap, sanitiser, or face masks.
With class sizes recommended to be 15 or below, the TSC is working to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for students.
