DP Gachagua Steps in To Resolve TSC, Education Ministry Dispute
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intervened to resolve the conflict over control of the education sector. This measure seeks to resolve the issue between the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Gachagua has encouraged both parties to assemble a team to oversee the execution of the measures proposed to revamp the industry. His intervention comes after months of debate over measures advocated by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) that reduced the TSC’s jurisdiction to manage the teaching sector.
During an interaction session with the education sector at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua stressed the importance of unity, saying, “We are one country, one government serving the same people with a common goal, which is our children.” He emphasised the need to avoid parallel approaches to reform.
Gachagua directed the interested parties to form a technical team within a week to oversee the Working Party’s proposals. He underlined the importance of unanimity among the Ministry, TSC, and stakeholders.
“The President has approved the suggestions of the Presidential Working Party. “We must collaborate in its implementation,” Gachagua remarked.
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The Working Party’s report delegated authority to the Education Ministry, sparking friction between the Ministry and TSC and destabilising the education sector. According to the recommendations, the TSC would lose its quality assurance function and return to its prior state as Jogoo House before becoming a constitutional body.
Tensions grew further with plans to modify the TSC Act 2012, with the goal of restoring powers stripped away by the report. The TSC Amendment Bill 2024 aims to regulate teachers and manage their continuous professional development (CPD).
Gachagua underlined the importance of collaboration in education changes, adding that “success comes from collective efforts.” Education Cabinet Secretary Machogu pledged the Ministry’s commitment to working with TSC to execute the changes, emphasising the need for collaboration through the technical team.
Machogu emphasised that collaboration will speed up the essential procedures, integrating education policy with sustainable development goals.
TSC expressed concerns about certain recommendations, claiming they would violate its constitutional authority and independence. TSC President Nancy Macharia chastised the Working Party for failing to take the commission’s opinion on crucial issues facing the teachers’ service.
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TSC objected to recommendations that the Ministry supervise teacher retooling and admission grades, build a comprehensive school administration system, and link teacher performance evaluation with civil service standards.
In addition, TSC opposed the recommendation to eliminate school categorization. TSC requested legislative changes before implementing the PWPER recommendations to ensure compliance with its mandate.
DP Gachagua Steps in To Resolve TSC, Education Ministry Dispute
