Teachers to obtain renewable licences in new TSC work plan

Teachers will be required to have a license, renewable after every five years, for them to be allowed to teach in schools.

The proposal is part of reforms in the education sector being driven by the Teachers Service Commission.

TSC chief executive Evaleen Mitei said the proposal is contained in the revised Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme, which is being fine-tuned before official rollout.

The TPD is a mandatory, continuous in-service training programme implemented by TSC. It requires all registered teachers to regularly update their pedagogical skills and curriculum delivery methods, particularly for the CBE.

The new TPD programme will be online, save for a few sessions that will still need to be face-to-face, and free of charge.

“We will not charge any money for TPD. But there is a catch. TPD is aimed at improving your competences as a teacher. Just like all other professions, the teaching service must be licensed,” Mitei said.

She said successful completion of a five-year TPD cycle will be a strict legal requirement for all teachers to renew their teaching practising licenses.

Mitei said the move is part of the commission’s investment in the continuous capacity building of teachers.

She said this is also because the TSC has developed a Teacher Mobility Policy for teachers who want to teach abroad.

Many teachers who go abroad to teach face challenges because Kenya generally does not license teachers, thus when they go out there, they are usually asked for their teaching license, which they do not have.

“So, that five-year TPD will lead to your renewal of your teaching license just like any other profession. The lawyers, and other professions, do it. We are equally professionalising the teaching service,” Mitei said.

She said when the TPD modules are rolled out, the commission, which is developing a Learning Management System, will help the teachers access the various learning modules.

She encouraged teachers and school administrators to do TPD saying the new system is hybrid and will help both teachers and administrators better manage learners, classes and the school.

This will make teachers better adapt to and manage emerging educational trends, technological advancements, changing learner needs and evolving policy priorities.

“TPD will equip teachers with the knowledge, skills and pedagogical approaches required to effectively deliver the curriculum and assess learner competences,” Mitei said.

By strengthening teacher capacity, the TSC boss said, the commission will ensure that the reforms translate into improved classroom practices and enhanced learner experience.

Mitei said the commission has also strengthened the Teacher Induction Mentorship and Coaching as a strategy that will support the commission in enhancing education reforms.

“Because the wellness and capacity of, and support to, teachers will ensure that our teachers are ready and well prepared to implement the curriculum that we are rolling out,” Mitei said.

She said the programme will facilitate the integration of newly recruited teachers into the profession while providing continuous guidance and support to the experienced teachers.

She said mentorship and coaching promotes professional growth, encourages the sharing of best practices and enhances teacher confidence and performance.

“Ultimately this intervention contributes to improved instructional quality and better teachers,” she said.