MoE, TSC Clash Over Special Needs Learners’ Assessment.
The ongoing rivalry between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) is set to heighten as MoE establishes eight regional centers to evaluate learners with disabilities.
The initiative, backed by the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) and other stakeholders, will introduce Education Assessment and Resource Centres (EARC) across eight regions, fundamentally altering the current assessment framework for special needs learners.
MoE is preparing to assume the responsibility of assessing learners with special needs from TSC. With this transition, newly recruited EARC officers will replace TSC’s Curriculum Support Officers for Special Needs (CSOs), potentially rendering them redundant.
Fear and uncertainty have gripped the CSOs, whose primary duties involve assessment, placement, and referral of special needs learners. Additionally, they have played a critical role in educating parents, teachers, and other stakeholders on managing and supporting children with disabilities.
Uncertain Future for CSOs
As MoE takes strategic steps to oversee the assessment function, many CSOs have expressed hope that their expertise will be recognized, allowing them to continue their work under the new EARC centers.
They have emphasized that their extensive training in functional assessments uniquely qualifies them for these roles. However, for this transition to occur smoothly, MoE would need TSC to release the CSOs to serve in the newly established centers.
If this handover is not carefully coordinated, a major conflict between the two government entities could arise.
TSC is expected to strongly oppose this move, arguing that the 2010 Constitution mandates it to handle the assessment of special needs learners. The commission may also perceive MoE’s initiative as an infringement on its jurisdiction over teacher management.
Conversely, MoE is likely to defend its actions by asserting that the overall well-being and assessment of all learners, including those with disabilities, fall under its mandate. This power struggle could potentially escalate into legal disputes between the two bodies.
Role of KISE and Historical Context
The establishment of EARC centers by KISE aligns with recommendations from the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. The report proposed that KISE operate as an independent assessment body managing the newly formed regional EARC centers.
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Currently, approximately 1,000 CSOs serve under TSC, a function TSC assumed in previous years.
Historically, EARC centers were operational in the 1990s and early 2000s but collapsed due to inadequate funding.
At that time, CSOs were under MoE and managed the centers while also overseeing classroom instruction. MoE’s latest move could be seen as an attempt to reclaim this responsibility, further intensifying the ongoing power struggle with TSC.
MoE, TSC Clash Over Special Needs Learners’ Assessment
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