Principals Call on TSC to Hire More Teachers with Pedagogical Skills for CBC Readiness.
Secondary school principals in Machakos County have called on the government to hire more teachers equipped with modern pedagogical skills to teach students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which is set to be implemented in senior secondary schools next year. They raised this concern during the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual Conference held at the Continental Hotel in Mombasa County.
Led by their chairman, Stephen Kavuvu, the school heads highlighted the shortage of qualified personnel to handle CBC in the region. They insisted that increasing the number of skilled teachers would help address the surging student population in schools.
In addition to staffing, the principals expressed frustration over poor learning environments caused by inadequate infrastructure. They noted that many schools are operating in dilapidated structures that have not been renovated, negatively affecting both teachers and students. One of the principals expressed concern, saying that some schools resembled abandoned buildings, making teaching and learning extremely difficult.
They urged the government to increase funding for school development projects to create conducive learning conditions. Moreover, the principals requested essential learning facilities to ensure effective instruction and better student performance.
Another major issue raised at the conference was the delay in disbursement of capitation grants by the government. According to the school heads, this has stalled many school programs across the county. They emphasized the importance of timely funding to facilitate smooth school operations. A principal stated that the slow release of funds was pushing schools into crisis and warned that some schools might be unable to continue basic operations if the trend persists.
Call for Community and Stakeholder Support
KESSHA chairman Stephen Kavuvu acknowledged that teachers in Machakos are committed but constrained by infrastructure gaps and late government support. He appealed to various stakeholders—including NGOs, charitable organizations, and well-wishers—to step in and help schools by donating physical facilities. He also shared that around 350 principals participated in the recent KESSHA Annual Conference, reflecting the urgency of the issues discussed.
Speaking at the official closing of the conference, Machakos County Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director, Jamal Ahmed, challenged the principals to uphold transparency, accountability, and honesty in their roles to build trust among stakeholders. He urged them to show greater dedication and improve performance in the upcoming 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Ahmed reminded the school leaders of their responsibility as the CEOs of their institutions. He advised them to familiarize themselves with the TSC Code of Regulations and to enforce high levels of discipline among teachers and students, which he identified as a critical factor in academic success.
The TSC director warned teachers against absenteeism, stating that any staff member absent without proper authorization would face disciplinary action. He urged principals to cover the syllabus early and allow sufficient time for revision. In his address, Ahmed said that school heads must ensure learning is uninterrupted and teachers are supervised closely.
“Principals must lead by example. When a leader is disciplined and accountable, the entire school community follows suit,” Ahmed stated. Another principal at the event shared their resolve to improve results, adding that schools in the region were committed to achieving excellence despite the challenges.
Principals Call on TSC to Hire More Teachers with Pedagogical Skills for CBC Readiness.
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