Author: Hezron Rooy

TSC Begins Retooling Programme for JSS Teachers and Field Officers. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has initiated a retooling programme for field officers, setting the stage for a similar exercise targeting Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers scheduled for next week. This initiative aims to enhance the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) by equipping key personnel with updated skills and knowledge. Since Wednesday, the TSC has been focused on sensitizing and training sub-county directors, curriculum support officers (CSOs), and quality assurance and standards officers. These officers, acting as trainers of trainers (ToTs), are receiving comprehensive instruction on CBC. While regular…

Public University Semesters Extended Following Lecturers’ Strike. Public university students will have an extended first semester to compensate for time lost during the recent lecturers’ strike. This adjustment follows a return-to-work formula outlined in a document seen by Teachers Updates. Universities have begun issuing revised end-of-semester examination schedules to address academic disruptions caused by the industrial action. The formula stipulates that university management teams will collaborate with unionized lecturers to recover lost teaching time. However, the semester extension presents challenges for students who have remained on campus during the strike, incurring living expenses without additional financial support from the government.…

KUPPET Threatens KCSE Marking Boycott Over KNEC’s Teacher Mistreatment. The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised concerns over the Kenya National Examination Council’s (KNEC) decision to remove certain teachers from marking centres during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. The union has warned of potential disruptions to the marking process if the issues are not addressed. KUPPET’s Siaya branch representative, Sam Opondo, revealed that some teachers faced humiliation and intimidation at the hands of KNEC. The union learned that the affected teachers were being removed from marking centres because their schools were allegedly implicated in…

Universities of Embu and Murang’a Outrank UoN in Regional Rankings. The Universities of Embu and Murang’a have surpassed the University of Nairobi (UoN) in the 2024 Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings. Released by Times Higher Education on Wednesday, November 27, the rankings assessed 129 universities from 22 African countries. Locally, Embu University secured the top position, followed by Strathmore University, Mount Kenya University, and the United States International University (USIU). Kibabii University claimed fifth place, with Murang’a University and Kabarak University following closely. The University of Nairobi was ranked eighth in Kenya, while Kabianga University and Lukenya University occupied the ninth…

Ministry of Labour Announces Salary Delays for Government Employees. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has confirmed that all government employees will face delays in receiving their November salaries. The delay occurs as the country prepares for the Christmas season, raising concerns among civil servants. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua explained that the delay is due to the ongoing upgrade of the government’s payroll system. He noted that the Ministry of Public Service manages the payroll system and is currently improving its applications, which may affect the timely processing of salaries. The Ministry of Public Service, in a memo…

Kenya Embraces Coding in CBC Curriculum: Benefits, Challenges, and Success Stories. In a groundbreaking move, Kenya formally integrated coding into its Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2022. This initiative, aimed at enhancing digital literacy and equipping students with 21st-century skills, positions technology as a cornerstone of future job markets and societal development. As the world increasingly relies on technology, coding emerges as a critical skill for the next generation. For young learners like Riley, coding is more than just programming—it’s a creative outlet. “At first, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes… but it gets easier as you learn. It’s…

Catholic Diocese Announces 404 Job Openings including 140 Teaching Vacancies. The Catholic Diocese of Maralal has invited applications for 404 vacant positions across various roles within the church. The diocese is seeking qualified individuals to join its workforce, encompassing a broad range of professional and support roles. The advertised roles include 18 secretarial positions, 140 teaching roles for ECDE, primary, and secondary schools, and 11 leadership positions for principals, deputy principals, head teachers, and deputy head teachers. Additionally, there are openings for four clinical officers, 13 nurses, and 73 cleaners, cooks, and housekeepers. Other roles listed are 33 groundskeepers, general…

JOOUST to Vet Graduates Before Certificate Issuance Following Degree Fraud Scandal. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) has announced plans to audit all 2024 graduates before issuing certificates. This decision follows reports of irregularities in awarding degrees at the institution. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) disclosed on Tuesday, November 26, that approximately 200 students allegedly bribed university officials to bypass supplementary examinations and secure spots on the graduation list. In response to the allegations, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emily Akuno, stated that the names of students involved in such malpractice had already been removed…

Moi University Strike Deal to End Lecturer’s Strike. Moi University has reached an agreement with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) to resolve the three-month-long strike that had disrupted operations at the institution. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba is set to oversee the signing of the return-to-work formula at the university’s main campus tomorrow. Following the signing, the CS is expected to announce comprehensive plans for the full resumption of activities at the university. The strike, primarily fueled by salary-related demands totaling over Sh11 billion, had left more than 2,000 workers out of…

CS Ogamba’s First 100 Days at the Helm of Education. The transition of learners from Grade 8 to Grade 9 remains a key challenge for the education sector under Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who has now completed 100 days in office. With only 35 days remaining before the transition, schools are preparing for the January reopening amidst widespread uncertainty about institutional readiness. Central to this readiness is the delivery of over 16,000 classrooms required to implement the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), but significant delays have occurred due to funding and administrative challenges. In a November update to Parliament, Ogamba disclosed that…