This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
September 4, 2019 - The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced a mandatory teacher development programme that will require all teachers to acquire a second certificate to teach in primary and secondary schools.
The programme, dubbed Teacher Development Programme (TDP), will be undertaken in modules and will be mandatory for all teachers. The courses will be conducted after every five years and will be used as a guiding pillar in hiring and demotions.
Speaking at Crowne Plaza, Nairobi, yesterday, TSC chairperson Nancy Macharia said the programme intends to address performance gaps identified in performance appraisals.
“This will be the only way teachers will be allowed to practice in any school, and will be used as a pillar to guide promotions and demotions of teachers. It will be used to upgrade staff to end stagnation of members in the teaching profession,” Macharia said.
However, the new programme has been met with resistance from teachers' unions, who protested lack of consultation before its roll out.
“We have not seen the document but just like the Teachers Performance and Appraisal Development, TSC has developed another animal to gauge teachers without the unions involvement. It is unacceptable and we will not support it,” embattled Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion said.
