Author: Hezron Rooy

KICD Calls for CBC Books Proposals for Grades 10 to 12. Publishers have until March 7, 2025, to submit proposals for learning materials under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for senior secondary education. The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has outlined that these submissions will undergo a detailed evaluation and approval process, expected to conclude by April 2, 2025. This initiative seeks to improve the quality of education for learners in Grades 10 to 12. The materials requested include textbooks, workbooks, teacher’s guides, and other learning aids designed to support complex concepts, helping students prepare for further education and careers.…

Night Fire Destroys Dormitory at Dr Aggrey High School in Taita Taveta. Property belonging to hundreds of students was destroyed on Thursday night when a fire engulfed a dormitory at Dr Aggrey High School in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County. The incident left students grappling with significant losses as their belongings were consumed by the flames. Reports indicate that the fire began around 7 pm, coinciding with the time students were leaving the dormitory for their evening lessons after supper. Despite attempts by the students and nearby residents to douse the flames, the recently constructed dormitory was completely destroyed. Videos and…

KUPPET: TSC Teacher Promotions Favor Certain Regions. Members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing teacher promotions by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). During a press briefing on Thursday, KUPPET officials criticized the criteria used to allocate promotion slots, describing it as discriminatory and unfair. They raised concerns about the unequal distribution of these slots across counties and called for the available positions to be filled on a pro-rata basis. KUPPET Secretary General Moses Nthurima accused the TSC of favoring certain counties in promotions and teacher distribution. He alleged that the disparities…

Concerns Rise Over the Midyear KCSE Examinations. Uncertainty clouds the future of students planning to retake the KCSE examinations midyear following a recent High Court ruling. The court suspended the registration process for the July series exams after activist Dr. Mgar Giki filed a petition. He argued that the process infringed on children’s rights, raising both legal and ethical concerns. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) had announced plans to administer midyear KCSE exams annually, a policy now facing challenges. Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang reassured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to comply with the court’s directive. Speaking during the…

Meru University Shuts Down Indefinitely After Student Protests. Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has been indefinitely closed following student protests triggered by the killing of a visiting student from the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM). Vice Chancellor Romanus Odhiambo, after consulting with stakeholders, including the Senate, emphasized that the decision prioritized the safety of students, staff, and the community. All students were instructed to vacate the main campus at Nchiru, Tigania West, immediately. The unrest began after a TUM student visiting his girlfriend at Meru University was fatally attacked on Monday night. According to a student, Moses Msando,…

KUPPET Raises Alarm Over Political Interference in Teacher Recruitment. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Kisumu County has expressed concerns regarding the ongoing teacher recruitment process, accusing politicians of covertly interfering with the exercise. The union claims that political meddling is distorting the fairness of employment practices and leading to staffing imbalances in schools. During a press briefing in Kisumu, KUPPET Kisumu County Executive Secretary Zablon Awange voiced criticism against the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), asserting that it had relinquished its mandate to politicians, particularly Members of Parliament. He argued that this situation had led to…

Teachers Have Until January 31 to Update AON Minet Dependants. AON Minet, the medical service provider for teachers, has set January 31, 2025, as the deadline for teachers who wish to update their list of dependants. A dependant refers to an immediate family member covered by the scheme, which includes a spouse and up to four children. Teachers who intend to modify their dependants must log in to the portal to add or remove dependants while providing the necessary supporting documents. These documents include a scanned copy of the spouse’s ID, a birth notification for children below six months, and…

TSC Prolongs P1 Teacher Deployment to JSS After Low Turnout. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has extended the online application exercise for the deployment of primary school teachers to junior secondary schools (JSS). The Commission had planned to close the application portal on January 24, after activating it on January 13. However, due to the low number of applications received, TSC was compelled to extend the deadline to an unspecified date. TSC announced that from February, P1 teachers would be deployed to teach learners in Grades 7, 8, and 9, where a severe shortage of teachers persists. Despite this pressing…

KNEC Explains Delays in Paying 2024 KPSEA and KCSE Invigilators The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has not yet compensated teachers who supervised last year’s national examinations and assessments. Many teachers have voiced their frustration and dissatisfaction over the delayed payments, especially since the examination and assessment results were released months ago. A KNEC official, who spoke anonymously, attributed the delays to insufficient and incomplete details of teachers who invigilated and supervised the 2024 KPSEA and KCSE exams. This shortfall has complicated the payment process, leaving many educators disgruntled. To address the issue, KNEC sent messages to KPSEA centre managers…

CS Ogamba Urges Schools to Keep Learners Despite Fee Arrears. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has appealed to primary and secondary school head teachers to avoid sending learners home over unpaid fees. He emphasized that the government is in the process of disbursing an additional Ksh14 billion to schools, with the remaining amount expected to reach school accounts in the coming weeks. Addressing the press on Thursday morning at Jogoo House, Nairobi, Ogamba attributed the delays in disbursement to budgetary constraints but assured administrators of the government’s commitment to resolving the issue. He urged school leaders to exercise patience, noting…