Ministry takes over TSC, reshuffles sub-county directors.
Rearranging its sub-county directors could be an indication that the Ministry of Education is preparing to take on some of the duties now carried out by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
On August 1, 2023, President William Ruto released the report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), which describes the reforms that have already taken place in a number of sub-counties.
Ministry takes over TSC, reshuffles sub-county directors
These modifications include:
1. Education Sector Regulation
The Taskforce suggests creating a new regulatory agency named the Kenya Professional Teaching Standards (KePTS) in order to decouple the TSC’s current roles as employer and regulator.
2. Quality Control
The Taskforce advises ending overlap in the Ministry of Education’s and the TSC’s responsibilities for quality assurance and giving them to the Ministry solely.
3. Principal and headteacher accountability
With school administrators acting as agents of the Ministry for institutional administration and accountability, the TSC’s role would change to one of hiring and deployment.
4. Competency-Based Curriculum and Teacher Education
Under the CBC, the Ministry would be in charge of teacher retraining, including the payment of teacher salaries.
5. Transfers of Teachers
For teacher transfers, the TSC would require Ministry of Education clearance.
Cases involving teacher discipline
Instead of the TSC, an Education Appeals Tribunal would handle complaints and appeals.
7. Promotions for teachers
The Taskforce suggests that the Ministry and TSC work together to promote teachers.
8. Coverage by Health Insurance
The TSC and the Ministry would work together to examine the teachers’ health insurance program.
9. Information Management
The TSC Act’s Section 42 (5) has been proposed to be changed to increase access to information, and the TSC has also been registered with the data commissioner.
10. Administration of Commission Business
According to the current report, the quorum for Commission meetings would increase from half to two thirds of the members.
The Taskforce’s recommendations, which call for restructuring Kenya’s education system, are reflected in these modifications. For some to be put into effect, legislative action or even a referendum may be necessary.
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Ministry takes over TSC, reshuffles sub-county directors.