The End of an Era: TSC Cancels P1 Course.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the education sector, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced the cancellation of the primary teachers’ certificate courses, popularly known as P1. This decision, part of the TSC 2024 Amendment Bill, marks a significant shift in the training of teachers in Kenya.
The P1 course has been a cornerstone of teacher training in Kenya for many years. However, the TSC has proposed that the training of teachers should now begin from the diploma level. This change is will raise the bar for teacher qualifications, with the aim of improving the quality of education in the country.
Dr. Reuben Mugwuku, Director of Teacher Professional Management at TSC, argues that teachers are now going to undergo training at the diploma level, both for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and primary, while secondary teachers will be doing diploma and degree courses at the university.
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The TSC is currently engaging stakeholders from the education sector and teaching profession as it finalizes changes in the bill. The proposed entry qualifications for teacher training include a score of C (plain) and at least a D in Mathematics and a C- (minus) in English.
However, the fate of teachers who are already in colleges and may not necessarily have the requisite qualifications is yet to be clear. TSC CEO Nancy Macharia assured that the Commission is consulting with the Ministry of Education on this matter.
In addition to the changes in teacher training, the TSC has proposed a raft of measures to streamline the teaching profession. This includes circumstances that can lead to teacher deregistration, including for sexual offences. The Commission is also moving to entrench continuous professional development for teachers.
The TSC is also in the process of promoting 36,505 teachers in the financial year 2023/24. Furthermore, the Commission has been allocated Ksh.1 billion for promotion in the financial year 2024/2025. This move is expected to address the issue of stagnation in teaching.
While these changes mark the end of an era, they also herald the beginning of a new chapter in the teaching profession in Kenya. As we bid farewell to the P1 course, we look forward to the positive impact these reforms will have on the quality of education in the country.
The End of an Era: TSC Cancels P1 Course.
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