Author: Hezron Rooy

KUPPET Wants TSC to Improve Teachers’ Mental Health Support The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is urging the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to improve teachers’ access to counseling services due to increasing mental health concerns. Kericho branch Executive Secretary, Mary Rotich, expressed worry over the growing mental health issues among teachers and stressed the need for immediate action. She advocated for the establishment of awareness programs, noting that while mental health is currently covered by Aon Minet, additional efforts are necessary. Join Our WhatsApp Channel During her speech in Kericho town, Rotich highlighted the shortage of psychiatrists…

Education Stakeholders Clash Over Hosting of Grade Nine Learners as Transition Nears Controversy is raging over whether Grade Nine students should move to secondary schools or remain in primary schools. Education CS Ezekiel Machogu announced that the 1.3 million Grade Eight learners set to transition to Grade Nine in January will stay in primary schools, following the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) recommendations. However, some officials believe that since there will be no Form One admissions next year, Grade Nine learners should occupy the vacant secondary school facilities. Secondary School Principals’ Perspective Secondary school principals have expressed readiness…

TSC Announces Appeal Process for Terminated Teacher Interns, Issues Deadline The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a comprehensive review process for teacher interns whose contracts were terminated due to desertion of duties. This announcement follows a surge of inquiries received by the Commission regarding the status of these appeals. Join Our WhatsApp Channel Appeal Rights and Submission Guidelines In an internal memo (Reference: TSC/DHRM&D/MEMO/14) issued on June 25, 2024, the TSC highlighted the following key points: Emphasis on Fairness and Transparency The TSC Acting Director of HRM&D, E. J. Mitei, emphasized the need for a fair, efficient, and transparent…

Govt to Confirm 46,000 JSS Teachers as Treasury Orders Budget Cuts in 14 Key Areas Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u has mandated ministries and parastatals to reduce their budgets in 24 key areas, following the austerity measures President William Ruto announced on Friday. This follows Ruto’s announcement that the government would look for ways to raise money for the employment of intern teachers, even though they might have to wait longer for better pay and permanent job terms. Originally, the Ruto administration had allocated Sh18.3 billion to hire intern teachers. The rejection of the Finance Bill created a Sh346 billion budget…

CS Machogu Warns Principals of School Fees Hike Despite Capitation Cut Secondary school principals have been warned not to increase school fees due to capitation challenges. This warning comes shortly after the State announced it would not be able to pay the Sh22,244 capitation per learner per year, maintaining the amount at Sh17,000 instead. The government has instructed headteachers to adhere to the policies and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, particularly concerning school fees. Education Cabinet Secretary Mr. Ezekiel Machogu emphasized the importance of compliance with these regulations regarding illegal levies. Principals’ Concerns Last week, headteachers expressed that…

Ruto Reveals Conversion Plan for JSS Teachers to Permanent Terms President William Ruto has confirmed that the planned conversion of Junior Secondary School teachers to permanent terms is still proceeding as scheduled. Despite the setback with the Finance Bill of 2024, the government remains committed to securing the necessary funds to hire these teachers. The government had initially planned to employ 46,000 teachers currently working as interns, with a budget of Sh18.3 billion. The Finance Bill’s rejection created a budget shortfall of Sh346 billion. However, Ruto stated that the government would not borrow the entire amount but instead seek Sh169…

Salary, Allowances And Deductions of Newly Employed Secondary School Teachers in Kenya Teachers hold a crucial role in implementing the secondary school curriculum. In Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is responsible for hiring and paying all new teachers. A graduate teacher is classified under job group K, now known as grade C2 and designated as Secondary Teacher II. According to the TSC appointment letter, a newly hired teacher is on probation for a minimum of six months. If the teacher’s performance is unsatisfactory, the probation period may be extended. This probation phase is critical and must be taken seriously,…

KUPPET Warns Govt Against Budget Cuts for Teacher Employment The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a stern warning to the government regarding its alleged plans to cut the budget for converting Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers to permanent and pensionable positions. The union argues that this move will worsen the existing teacher shortage in junior secondary schools. KUPPET disputes claims that the Finance Bill 2024/2025 was intended to address the teacher shortage issue. They assert that sufficient funds, including those allocated for classroom construction, could be reallocated to employ teachers. “The teachers are not going…

Ministry of Health Launches of Nationwide Deworming Programme for Six Million Pupils The Ministry of Health has initiated a deworming programme aimed at over six million pupils across the nation. This significant step was inaugurated at Kanjuu Primary School in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, with Director of Medical Services Stephen Katii representing the Principal Secretary. Katii stressed the importance of this initiative, highlighting that worm infestations negatively impact children’s nutritional status, concentration, and cognitive performance. He explained that worms impair pupils’ ability to focus and perform cognitively, affecting their overall nutrition. To address this, the nation must promote good hygiene practices,…

ECDE Teachers in Bomet Receive 6 Months Overdue Salaries Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Bomet have finally received their salaries from the county government, which had accumulated over six months. The teachers expressed that the delay, coupled with the high cost of living, had placed them in a difficult situation where they could no longer meet their families’ basic needs. The teachers noted that the payment serves as a motivation, as many had become demoralized, with some even losing hope. They gathered in Bomet town to discuss their situation, with Edna Koech and Jacqueline Chelangat leading the group.…