Author: Hezron Rooy

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.…

TSC Seeks Qualification Data of Serving Primary School Teachers for JSS Deployment The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has initiated a comprehensive assessment aimed at determining the number of primary school teachers currently holding Bachelor’s and Diploma degrees. Directed by Dr. Mugwuku Nthamburi, Director of Teacher Professional Management, this assessment seeks to gather detailed data categorized by county, focusing on various qualification levels. The assessment, outlined in memo TSC/DTPM/CDS/40/VOL.II/115 dated July 4, 2024, requests data from regional and county directors to be submitted by July 11, 2024. The data will be categorized into several groups based on academic qualifications, including specific…

Cabinet Approves SEQIP Implementation Targeting 1.8 Million Students The Cabinet has approved the Kenya Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvement Programme (SEQIP). Backed by the World Bank and the Ministry of Education, SEQIP aims to address educational disparities, enhance learning quality, and ensure equity across Kenya. The World Bank has allocated $200 million (Sh25.7 billion) for SEQIP, which seeks to create a more inclusive education system. The programme promises to enhance students’ experiences, support parents, empower teachers, and benefit the community. Programme Beneficiaries SEQIP will impact various groups: Join Our WhatsApp Channel SEQIP Pillars SEQIP addresses three main areas: access,…

Eregi TTC to Achieve Full University Accreditation Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has committed to expediting the upgrade of Eregi Teachers Training College (ETTC) into a fully-fledged university. The County, in collaboration with the National Government, aims to offer diverse courses to students in the region and nearby counties. Barasa revealed that this initiative is part of their ambitious development plans to enroll more students in specialized courses. A task force appointed by the Governor recommended that ETTC be upgraded to a constituent campus of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Join Our WhatsApp Channel The college, located in…

KJSEA: KNEC Releases Junior School Pilot Exam Schedule The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has announced the guidelines and timetable for the 2024 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) pilot exam, which will run from Monday, July 15 to Wednesday, July 17. Examination Schedule Monday, July 15: Join Our WhatsApp Channel Tuesday, July 16: Wednesday, July 17: Exam Duration and Special Instructions The duration for each exam is listed beside the subject name, and no extra time will be given, except for Braille users, who are allocated an additional 30 minutes. The allocated time includes reading through the questions unless…

CS Moses Kuria Suspends All Public Service Recruitments The government has suspended all new and ongoing public service recruitment to control the escalating wage bill and recurring expenses. This announcement was made in a directive issued on Wednesday by Moses K. Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management. Moses K. Kuria explained that the directive aligns with the austerity measures discussed during Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u’s Budget presentation on June 13. In a letter to Amb. Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Kuria emphasized the urgency of the directive. He stated that this measure is essential…

Construction of 9,000 Grade Nine Classrooms Begins The construction of 9,000 classrooms for Grade Nine learners has commenced, with the government mandating schools to use the allocated funds solely for this purpose. Each classroom is estimated to cost Sh1 million, making the total project cost approximately Sh9 billion. Dr. Belio Kipsang, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, stated that this initiative is part of the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning (KPEEL) program. The program aims to reduce regional disparities in learning outcomes, improve retention rates of girls in upper primary levels, and enhance systems for equitable education delivery. Details…