TSC Begins New Round of JSS Teachers’ Retraining
The Teachers Service Commission has begun a new round of training for the second class in junior secondary schools (JSS).
The training at Jamhuri High School in Nairobi aims to equip teachers with the skills necessary to handle changing trends and effective class management as the education system undergoes a full transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum.
ββThe new curriculum requires an innovative human capacity and revitalising the teaching profession will ensure quality, equity and relevance at all levels of education,ββ said TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia.
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Dr. Macharia announced that the commission has already implemented remote learning as an innovative technique for various forms of curriculum implementation. Furthermore, he reported that 163,938 instructors have undergone sensitization on this initiative.
TSC has retrained 229,000 primary school teachers and 60,000 others for JSS this year alone.
Johnson Nzioka, Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, stated that the training would boost human capital.
One of the components of retooling is the shift of the education system to remote learning via digital apps. Nzioka says the technology will improve student teaching and learning while also giving capabilities to improve teacher-learner engagement.
On the other hand, Kahi Indimuli, Chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, issued a warning, emphasizing the imperative need to address teacher shortages.
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He warned that the upcoming year would introduce a more chaotic environment with overcrowded classrooms, given the addition of two Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes. He emphasized that without retooling for all teachers, the challenges experienced in the current year might persist.
Indimuli stated that when JSS opened its doors this year, it absorbed 56,000 teachers to handle classroom chaos.
He said the most critical shortages were surprisingly in science and mathematics, where the government is making strides in delivering quality education in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM).
At the same time, several teachers have expressed worry about the criteria used for selecting candidates who will participate in the exercise.
According to Mike Kimani, a teacher based in Nairobi, he believes that it is imperative for all Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to undergo retooling before the students return to school next month.
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Kimani expressed that they encountered several challenges this year during the implementation of the system. Teaching subjects outside of their specialization has been a notable issue, and according to Kimani, this underscores the necessity of retooling.
Carolyne Muoki agreed, stating it will have a stronger impact on instructors’ abilities. She emphasized that the current Junior Secondary School (JSS) necessitates an appealing and proficient teaching workforce to foster lifelong learning. According to her, in-service training stands as a critical aspect that facilitates their continuous improvement.
Mary Nyamu from Murang’a expressed bewilderment at the exclusive invitation of only science teachers to the workshop.
Nyamu reported that upon arrival, they discovered they were not listed as part of the team scheduled for training. Despite joining the service with distinct areas of specialty, they were compelled to teach different subjects. Nyamu emphasized that retooling was the most suitable option for them.
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TSC Begins New Round of JSS Teachers’ Retraining