With the acute decline in the number of students enrolling to Teacher Traning Colleges in the last two years,the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) has lowered minimum qualifications for students joining TTCs to pursue diploma and certificate courses.
According to KNQA Director-General, Dr Juma Mukhwana, Certificate courses will be phased out next year, leaving only diploma programs for primary school trainee teachers.
“This is in line with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework, which has been widely discussed and adopted by stakeholders,” Said Mukhwana.
With the new rules, students seeking to study for diploma in education will need a C plain or C- in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), down from the previous C+. Meanwhile, those seeking a certificate in education (popularly known as P1), will need a D+, down from a C plain.
“These changes will ensure the sustainability of teacher training in the country, which is under threat from reforms being undertaken in the technical vocational education training (TVET) sector,” Dr Mukhwana said.
He noted that students seeking direct entry to universities will still be required to have attained a mean grade of C+ in KCSE.
The former Education Cs Amb.Amina Mohammed raised concern over the low number of students applying to join teacher training colleges.
“We have to address this issue, or else we will not get secondary and primary school teachers in future,” she said
The Cs further regretted students’ lack of interest in the profession, yet the government was investing a lot of resources in the sector.
Statistics from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) indicate that there are 295,000 trained teachers who are yet to be absorbed by the government and private sector
They could have consider the lot of 2016 & 2017, they managed their potential
Primary school teachers nay be seen as unqualified to teach secondary schools, but they give solid foundation to children learning and unlock their potential. The said C+ and above grade, fit to teach secondary schools, only build on what the ‘unqualified’ have shaped up. I find it ironical. Do your research, what is the qualifications of the teacher who produces the best pupils who joins the national schools.
Unfortunately, some who scored C+ and above cannot compete with the ‘unqualified’ in production of best students. Let’s be logical. Some teachers are not defined by grades. They are very active. Else the system failed them, if CBC existed during their time, perhaps they would have exploited their best talents.
Why are teachers not paid like other civil servants and enjoy the same benefits, including the medical services civil servants enjoy? Teaching is good, I live it, but it’s frustrating in Kenya.
Mary, you are right. People have a twisted mind on Primary teachers because they have never set foot inside a class especially the PP up to G2. The day they do so they will have a better judgment.
That’s great news the ones hu got c minus n D plus will get the chance to fulfill their dreams, it doesn’t mean they are dull bt it’s by luck I believe if given the chance they can make wonders so tsc should reconsider this.
That’s great news the ones hu got c minus n D plus will get the chance to fulfill their dreams, it doesn’t mean they are dull bt it’s by luck I believe if given the chance they can make wonders so tsc should reconsider this.
Disagreed. A students should become teachers. C and D students should become engineers.
Why?
Teaching is more theoretical; so it needs a sharp mind.
Engineering is practical; anyone with time can learn how to build a car with practice.
Return certificate courses for P1 minimum qualification at least C- BEGINING NEXT YEAR PLEASE. I need to pursue teaching and i had a C-. i request PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!