TSC Wants To Keep Powers As CS Machogu Defends Education Reforms
Lately, Kenya’s educational landscape has been buzzing with activity, as the Presidential working party proposed reforms that sparked spirited debates and concerns from different quarters.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has found himself at the center of this storm, defending the reforms and emphasizing their importance.
The core issue revolves around the powers of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and President William Ruto’s proposed adjustments to education policies.
These proposals came into focus during World Teachers Day celebrations, drawing contrasting opinions from stakeholders, including Members of Parliament and teachers.
One significant point of contention is the potential reduction of TSC’s powers. Benta Opande, the CEO of the Kenya Women Teachers Association (Kewota), voiced support for the commission, highlighting its role in achieving gender equality in employment, a milestone she believes should not be undermined.
Kewota and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers expressed concerns that diminishing TSC’s powers could negatively impact the teaching profession.
On the opposing side of the debate, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu staunchly defended the reforms, underlining their significance. He assured that necessary legal amendments would align with the recommendations before full adoption. An implementation committee is overseeing this process and preparing draft legislation for Parliament.
One contentious issue is the entry requirements for pre-service teachers, with Machogu explaining that setting a mean Grade of C(Plain) as the entry mark aimed to increase trainee numbers, yielding significant results.
Another contentious proposal is the comprehensive school system combining nursery, primary, and junior schools. Critics questioned its constitutionality, but Machogu committed to drafting necessary legal amendments to address these concerns.
Reducing the number of subjects taught in schools also faced resistance, but Machogu defended it, citing concerns about curriculum overload.
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The education reforms also include changes in grading for KCSE examinations, with the KCSE mean score based on two compulsory subjects (Mathematics and one language) and five other best performing subjects.
Machogu argued that such grading changes had occurred before, citing the transition from 10 to seven subjects under the 8-4-4 system.
In summary, Kenya’s education reforms are a complex effort, seeking to balance progress with concerns from various stakeholders. While there are differing opinions on the proposed changes, the government, led by Education CS Machogu, is committed to addressing these challenges and evolving Kenya’s education system for the benefit of students and teachers.
TSC Wants To Keep Powers As CS Machogu Defends Education Reforms
