Primary and Secondary School Heads to Serve 15 Years Term Limits in New Agency Contracts
A new proposal by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) may introduce term limits for primary and secondary school heads. The proposal contends that, like other government institution heads, school heads are chief executives overseeing public funds and should have renewable term limits based on their performance.
While the specific period of service is not defined, this proposal could result in school heads having contracts with expiry dates, departing from the current practice where they serve until retirement.
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In 2014, a similar proposal was put forth during Prof Jacob Kaimenyi’s tenure as the Cabinet Secretary in charge of education. The suggestion was to limit school heads’ service to a maximum of 15 years, divided into three terms of five years each. However, this proposal was dropped and did not become part of the regulations passed in 2015.
Recently, the idea resurfaced as part of the discussions at an education stakeholders meeting chaired by Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang. The proposal, presented for consideration in the fine-tuning of the Basic Education Bill 2024 at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), advocates for term limits and emphasizes the need for accountability in managing public funds.
In addition to the term limits proposal, there is a noteworthy suggestion to grant agency contracts to school heads. This proposal, if adopted, would designate school heads as agents of the Ministry of Education, allowing the Cabinet secretary to hold them accountable for mismanaging public funds.
The Kenya Union of Post-primary Education Teachers supports this proposal, emphasizing the importance of clarifying the role of heads as agents of the ministry in law.
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The proposed legislation also addresses amendments to various education sector laws, including the Universities Bill, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, the Kenya National Qualifications Framework Bill, and the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill.
Additionally, amendments are proposed for the Kenya Literature Bureau Bill, Kenya National Examinations Council Bill, and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Bill.
If enacted, the appointment of school heads as agents will be a significant development, as they will report to both the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Education.
TSC will handle the hiring process, while the ministry will issue appointment letters designating them as agents for financial matters. This move aims to establish the ministry’s authority in overseeing school funds, resolving ongoing disputes over the power to take action against school principals between TSC and the ministry.
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Primary and Secondary School Heads to Serve 15 Years Term Limits in New Agency Contracts
