- “These teachers are expected to reduce the shortage in our public schools but more importantly, ensure that learners receive a quality education”
- Macharia said TSC requires Sh2.2 billion to carry out the promotion of teachers in different job cadres.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has proposed the recruitment of 20,000 intern teachers in the 2023/2024 Financial Year.
In submissions to National Assembly’s Committee on Education and Research on Monday, CEO Nancy Macharia said recruitment will ensure objectives outlined in the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda are achieved.
“These teachers are expected to reduce the shortage in our public schools but more importantly, ensure that learners receive quality education,” she said.
She said recruitment of interns alone will have a number of spiral effects.
“One, it will create employment for the many young people who are currently unemployed. Secondly, improve the quality of education and also improve the living standards of many households across the country,” she explained.
The committee had invited Macharia for consideration of the 2023/24 financial year estimates of revenue and expenditure.
Macharia noted that the commission is implementing a comprehensive medical cover for teachers and their dependants.
“Currently, the medical scheme covers more than one million members across the country and is part of expanding access to quality health care envisaged in the Manifesto,” she said.
On the promotion of teachers, Macharia said the commission is committed to improving morale and job satisfaction, increasing loyalty, motivating employees and career growth.
She regretted that a number of teachers have stagnated in one Job group for a long time leading to demotivation and low productivity.
“This state of affairs in turn affects the provision of quality education to learners,” she stated.
Macharia said TSC requires Sh2.2 billion to carry out the promotion of teachers in different job cadres.
She further said the commission requires Sh2.1 billion to fund teacher professional development.
“Due to the dynamic teaching environment, professional teacher development is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning in the classroom,” she said.
Professional development involves the career-long processes and related systems and policies designed to enable educators (teachers, administrators, and supervisors) to acquire, broaden, and deepen their knowledge, skills, and competencies in order to effectively perform their work.