Author: Hezron Rooy

KUPPET Storms Minet Office as KNUT Appeals for Improved Healthcare Services On Tuesday, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Minet Insurance Company office in Kakamega Town as angry teachers from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) stormed the premises and locked the doors. Led by Harrison Otota, the Kakamega KUPPET Branch Executive Secretary, they accused the insurance broker of negligence, blaming it for the deaths of two of their colleagues. According to Otota, the deaths occurred due to the unavailability of prescribed medications at local hospitals accredited by Minet. “We buried two teachers last week,” he reported, citing…

TSC Asks Teachers to Register with NSSF by July 31, 2024 The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued a directive requiring all teachers to register as members of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) by July 31, 2024. This directive is detailed in Circular No. 9/2024, which was distributed to various TSC regional, county, and sub-county directors, as well as principals of diploma and primary teacher training colleges. The National Social Security Fund (NSSF), established under the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013, provides Social Security benefits, Survivor benefits, and Invalidity benefits to workers. In compliance with this Act, the…

Grade 10 Curriculum: KICD’s 40 Subject Options The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has announced a new curriculum for Grade 10, the first level in Senior Secondary School (SSS), which will commence in 2026. This curriculum introduces 40 subjects, from which students will select seven, aligning with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) shift from the 8-4-4 system. Compulsory and Elective Subjects Students will select subjects based on their intended career paths, with four compulsory subjects for all: Follow Teachers Updates On Facebook In addition to these, learners will choose three subjects based on their selected pathway. Subject Pathways Science, Technology,…

UNICEF’s Strong Message to Kenyan Police Over Tear Gas in Schools The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued a statement on Tuesday after reports emerged that young children were tear-gassed during nationwide anti-government protests. UNICEF’s Country Representative, Shaheen Nilofer, condemned the conduct of the Kenyan police, deeming it unacceptable. Nilofer emphasized that security officers must always prioritize the safety of every child. She expressed deep concern over reports of tear gas affecting school children at Mwiyala Primary School during the protests. She stated that children and schools should never be targets of violence. UNICEF’s condemnation was echoed by other leaders,…

Science Contest Attracts Over 1,700 Student Entries Young Scientists Kenya has received 1,780 project abstracts for its seventh edition of the National Science and Technology Annual Exhibition 2024. This marks a 138 percent increase in submissions compared to last year. The exhibition, set to take place from August 19th to 23rd, 2024, provides young Kenyans with a platform to showcase their scientific talents and innovations. Follow Teachers Updates On Facebook This year’s theme, “Developing Sustainable Solutions for Climate Change,” emphasizes sustainability, as highlighted by Ben Roberts, Chairman of the YSK Committee. The exhibition aims to inspire students to pursue STEM…

TSC Pension Processing: What Teachers Need for Faster Dues Settlement Teachers who reach the age of 60 will receive a retirement notice two years before their retirement date, although in special circumstances, a shorter notice may be issued by the Commission. Upon receiving the retirement notice, teachers are required to take the following steps promptly: Follow Teachers Updates Page On Facebook To facilitate faster processing of pension dues, retiring teachers MUST provide several documents: In Our Other News: Schools Reopening to Begin on Friday, May 10 — PS Omollo Teachers have long experienced significant delays, sometimes lasting years after retirement, due…

Schools Shift to Online Learning As Protests Rock The Nation Several schools instructed students and teachers to avoid attending in-person classes on Tuesday due to the anti-government protests. Circulars reviewed by Teachers Updates advised teachers to conduct their classes online. One circular explained that travel was deemed unsafe due to the planned protests, so all classes would be conducted online for students’ safety. Follow Teachers Updates On Facebook Some schools did not specify whether classes would be held or not. One message to parents indicated that learners would stay home on Tuesday due to the scheduled protests, urging parents to…

Teacher Exit Procedures and Benefits: TSC Guidelines The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) outlines various methods for a teacher to be removed from the register. These methods include voluntary retirement, medical grounds, resignation, marriage, termination, death, release to other organizations, transfer of service, and compulsory retirement. Methods of TSC Teacher Exit from Service Voluntary Retirement Eligibility: Teachers aged 50 and above with at least 10 years of continuous service on Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms. Retirement on Medical Grounds Procedure: Teachers can apply to retire or exit on medical grounds with supportive medical documents. Benefits: Eligible for a lump sum and…

From Finance Bills to Corruption Scandals: How Social Media, ChatGPT Tools Redefine Civic Education in Kenya Early last month, as Kenyans grew increasingly angry over the increased taxation introduced by the Finance Bill 2024 at the onset of the 2024/25 financial year, social media became a public forum. Traditionally, Kenyans have been among the top social media users on the continent. Data from Statista shows that Kenyan online users spent an average of 3.32 hours daily on social networking sites in 2023, just minutes behind Nigerians and South Africans. This trend has been amplified by youth aged below 28, commonly…

TSC Hardship Areas and Allowances The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has classified some counties as hardship zones, and teachers in those areas are paid additional allowances. According to the commission, locations considered difficult include those that are frequently subjected to terrorism, famine, and arid temperatures. As of 2012, the commission had designated approximately 38 regions for hardship, with instructors receiving monthly allowances. To be mapped under hardship, an area must meet conditions such as a shortage of or unavailability of food, as well as a weak transportation and communication network. Other issues include poor basic social services and facilities, and…