key roles TSC is set to lose in the proposed reforms;
1. Transfer of teachers
According to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms’ draft report, the TSC will lose its sole power over teacher transfers and promotions.
The task force now wants the Ministry of Education to be involved in teacher transfers and promotions.
2. Accountability of principals
If the plan on the accountability of school heads is approved, headteachers will be held accountable to the ministry.
According to the report, the ministry intends to hold school principals accountable for the funds received from the national government.
”Where there has been a case of mismanagement of funds or resources by a headteacher or principal, the Ministry of Education cannot hold the headteacher to account nor is he/she involved in their discipline,” the draft report reads in part.
3. Career progression
The task force has additionally suggested that the Ministry of Education take on the responsibility for teacher retraining and further take over career progression and professional development programs.
To coordinate and manage all in-service programs for teachers, the committee advised creating the Kenya School of Teacher Management.
4. The disciplinary role of the TSC
The TSC will no longer have the ultimate say in situations involving disciplinary actions taken against teachers because a new body will be created.
The working group has suggested that the Education Appeals Body, an independent body, take over the TSC’s disciplinary responsibilities.
The idea states that dissatisfied teachers whose disciplinary matters TSC has handled in the past will have a chance to appeal before the ministry’s Education Appeals Tribunal.
“The Act should provide that appeals of the decision of TSC be made at the Education Appeals Tribunal,” the draft report adds.
5. Quality assurance mandate
According to the suggestions, the ministry will take over the Quality Assurance duties currently held by TSC.
The task force wants the ministry to have the authority to close institutions that do not follow the guidelines and regulations.
6.Teachers’ records
Another far-reaching proposal came from the Education Task Force (TSC, which stripped teachers of the ability to keep their own records.
The task committee recommended that the data commissioner’s office share responsibility for preserving teachers’ records with TSC.
7. TSC procurement role
Finally, the education reform team wants the ministry to share some of the TSC procurement authority.
For example, the task committee has suggested that TS and the parent ministry work together to procure the teacher’s medical plan.
