TSC Denies Plans to Bar P1 Teachers in JSS Deployment.
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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) dismissed as fake a circulated notice that purportedly barred P1 teachers from teaching Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes.
The fraudulent letter, dated December 27, 2024, and missing the signature of TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia, claimed that some primary school teachers had been deployed to JSS by Heads of Institutions (HOIs) against government directives. It stated that only TSC held the mandate to authorize teacher transitions to JSS.
Addressed to county and sub-county directors, as well as curriculum support officers, the letter asserted that HOIs lacked the authority to deploy primary school teachers to JSS classes.
It warned that disciplinary measures would be taken against non-compliant headteachers and claimed that enough qualified JSS teachers had already been employed to handle all subjects.
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In its response, TSC discredited the letter and urged teachers and parents to disregard it. The commission emphasized the need to verify information through its official communication channels, cautioning against misinformation spread via social media.
TSC’s Stance on P1 Teacher Deployment
Contrary to the fake notice, TSC had earlier confirmed that some primary school teachers would be deployed to support learning activities in JSS.
Nancy Macharia stated that the deployment process was part of efforts to address staffing needs for the pioneer JSS class, set to join in January 2025.
To meet the demand, TSC launched multiple recruitment initiatives. In October 2024, the commission hired 20,000 JSS teachers on an internship basis for 12 months.
Later, on December 17, it began a recruitment drive to employ an additional 19,943 teachers for JSS roles ahead of the 2025 academic calendar.
Positions included 4,703 slots for Senior Teacher I and 3,653 slots for Deputy Head Teacher II, aimed at closing the staffing gap in JSS.
P1 Teacher Retooling Program
Earlier, TSC introduced a framework policy requiring P1 teachers to undergo an upgrade program tailored for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
In a statement to the National Assembly, the commission clarified that the Diploma in Primary Education Programme was designed to enhance teaching quality at the primary level.
TSC emphasized that this retooling initiative was not a pathway for P1 teachers to transition into JSS roles.
Instead, it distinguished the career progression of JSS teachers as aligned with secondary education, separate from the primary school P1 cadre.
Upgrade Program Designed for Primary Level
While appearing before the National Assembly, Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Education, Hon. Julius Melly conveyed the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) policy framework guiding the upgrading of P1 teachers.
The Commission explained that the retooling initiative was specifically introduced to prepare P1 teachers with the competencies required to effectively deliver the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at the primary school level.
According to TSC, the Diploma Primary Education Program upgrade focuses on enhancing teaching quality in primary education.
Distinct Career Pathways for JSS and P1 Teachers
The briefing highlighted that the career pathway for Junior Secondary School teachers is entirely distinct from that of P1 teachers.
Hon. Melly relayed that TSC clarified the upgrade program was never intended to create a pathway for P1 teachers to transition into JSS roles.
Instead, the program’s primary aim was to enhance teaching standards at the primary school level.
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Concerns were also addressed regarding the delay in issuing certificates for the diploma courses completed by P1 teachers.
The TSC assured that efforts were being made to streamline the process and ensure timely issuance of these credentials.
TSC Denies Plans to Bar P1 Teachers in JSS Deployment
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