All KenyanTeachers to Undergo Fresh Training in New Changes

President William Ruto may adopt recommendations from the Competency-Based Curriculum task force that require all Kenyan teachers to undergo training to align themselves with the changes in the school curriculum.

The task force has advised that teachers need to be retrained on the changes in the curriculum which is expected to take a year. The force has directed universities to develop comprehensive Faculty Staff programmes to prepare for competency-based teacher education. Additionally, the task force has recommended a C (plain) grade as the minimum requirement for individuals to be admitted into pre-service teacher education. 

This includes courses such as Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education, Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education, Diploma in Special Needs Education, and Diploma in Technical Teacher Education. The Teachers Service Commission is offering education graduates the opportunity to participate in a mandatory one-year internship program after completing their pre-service training. 

"The Ministry of Education to develop guidelines on how all teachers who graduated before 2023 undergo a mandatory one-year retooling and upgrading programme for compliance with the curriculum change," read the recommendation in part. 

The rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) faced numerous challenges during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure, including a shortage of teachers for Junior Secondaries and inadequate pay for teachers. Despite being eligible, nearly 60,000 primary school teachers are yet to apply to teach Junior Secondary. However, the TSC has managed to employ 30,000 teachers, including 8,000 from primary schools.  

"Establish Kenya Teacher Training College (KeTTC) to administer all Pre-service teacher training colleges (TTCs) as campuses. Further, develop a framework to ensure optimal utilisation and sharing of resources," added the recommendations.