Author: Hezron Rooy

KUCCPS Reopens Portal for KMTC Programmes: How to Apply. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has announced the reopening of its portal to allow applications for 20 Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) programmes with unfilled vacancies. The portal will remain open until November 24, 2024. Available Programmes KUCCPS has listed various certificate and diploma courses that are still open for applications. Certificate Courses Seven certificate programmes are available, including: Join Teachers Updates on Facebook Diploma Courses Seven diploma programmes also have vacant slots: Application Requirements and Process To apply, interested candidates must meet the required grades specified…

TSC and KNUT Set for Recognition Agreement (RA) Review. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is scheduled to engage with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) next week in Naivasha to address contentious clauses in their 2021 Recognition Agreement (RA). The discussions will take place from November 18 to November 22, 2024, as confirmed by KNUT’s First National Vice Chairman, Malel Lang’at. Purpose of the Meeting The primary focus of the meeting will be the amendment of the TSC/KNUT Recognition Agreement. Malel noted that the 2021 RA, which replaced the 1968 version, was signed under duress and contains several clauses…

KCSE Exam Fraud: 70 Teachers Arrested, Dozens of Schools Probed. Errant teachers have orchestrated elaborate schemes to bypass surveillance and assist students in cheating during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. Over the past three weeks, at least 70 teachers have been arrested nationwide for undermining the integrity of the exams. These educators face legal charges and uncertainty about their careers. More than 20 schools are also being closely monitored for alleged involvement in exam malpractices. Authorities have flagged some institutions with a history of cheating for enhanced scrutiny. This follows efforts by the Kenya National Examinations Council…

KCSE National Exams Not Leaked, Says Education PS. Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang’ refuted allegations of national examination leaks, affirming that this year’s exams were managed efficiently with minimal issues. He expressed confidence in the government’s ability to conduct fair and transparent exams while commending stakeholders involved in monitoring and invigilation. According to the PS, the country did not experience any significant challenges or malpractices. However, isolated cases were reported, including instances where private examination centers attempted to breach regulations by sneaking in mobile phones or impersonating candidates. Kipsang’ noted that early exposure occurred in rare situations where…

Audit Exposes Garissa University’s Use of Unapproved Mobile Money for Fees. A recent audit has criticized Garissa University for using unapproved mobile money systems to collect student tuition fees, bypassing the standard procedure of bank account payments. According to Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, the university’s Fee Policy 2018 does not authorize mobile money as a payment method. Despite its convenience, the policy had not been revised to accommodate it, raising concerns about the legitimacy of this revenue collection practice. The audit, covering the year ending June 30, 2023, revealed that the university’s management had not ensured compliance with its fee…

Education PS Declines to Commission Grade 9 Classroom in Isiolo. Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang postponed the commissioning of a Grade 9 classroom at Barracks Primary School in Isiolo County and instructed the construction of three more classrooms within three to four months. He announced plans to return to the school to commission all four classrooms once completed. The school committee assured him that funding was already secured to finalize the project. Dr. Kipsang emphasized the urgency of accommodating the 200 students transitioning to Grade 9 in the public school hosted at the Military ground. He noted that the…

PS Kipsang’ Issues Stern Warning to Men on Teenage Pregnancies. Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang’ has cautioned adult men against preying on and impregnating teenage girls, emphasizing the need to shield the vulnerable in society. He warned that those engaging in such actions would face unspecified severe consequences. While supervising the opening and distribution of examination papers at the Meru County Commissioner’s headquarters, PS Kipsang’ expressed concern over the rising number of young girls forced to take their exams from hospitals due to pregnancies. He noted that the situation has worsened this year compared to previous years. Statistics…

Three Schools Under Police Radar for Suspected KCSE Exam Cheating. Police in Nandi County are investigating three schools following allegations of exam malpractice. Seven teachers were arrested for possessing suspected examination materials shared via social media. The affected schools under scrutiny are Kamimei Secondary School in Nandi South, Koitalel Samoei Boys School in Nandi East, and Lelwark Boys School, also in Nandi East. Nandi County Criminal Investigation Officer Peter Ochieng revealed that the arrested individuals include a supervisor and an invigilator. Authorities across the county have heightened security to dismantle any exam cheating networks. He emphasized the police’s ability to…

Government Assures Completion of Grade Nine Classrooms Ahead of January 2024. The Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Belio Kipsang, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the completion of grade nine classrooms before schools reopen in January next year. Speaking in Meru County after overseeing the opening of the KCSE examination container, Dr. Kipsang detailed the government’s progress and future plans for classroom construction under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework. The PS reported that 3,500 classrooms have been successfully completed during the first phase of the project. In the ongoing second phase, an additional 7,500 classrooms are at various…

Why Teachers Avoid TSC Deployment to Junior Secondary Schools. A significant number of teachers have avoided deployment to Junior Secondary School (JSS) due to adverse impacts on their career progression. Many of those deployed have expressed frustrations, stating that despite serving as head teachers or deputies, their titles were downgraded to Teacher 3 and Teacher 4. This adjustment has made it challenging for them to secure promotions. Even after fulfilling the required years of service and entering their details into the system for career advancement, their applications are often rejected. Teachers who resisted deployment to JSS have advanced to higher…