Qualifications Needed for Kenyan Teachers Eyeing US Jobs

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi presided over the departure of the inaugural group of teachers bound for the United States on Monday, July 29.

This event, facilitated by a private company agreement through the Ministry of Labour, has opened new avenues for Kenyan teachers seeking opportunities abroad. The initiative has successfully placed 67 teachers in American schools. The selection process for these educators was rigorous and conducted by two recruitment agencies: Consult Centre Limited and Pesuar International Job Placement Consultancy. These firms subjected candidates to comprehensive evaluations to ensure they met the strict standards required by Baltimore City Schools, which had requested these teachers in the previous year.

Pesuar Consultancy offers three pathways for Kenyan teachers to commence their careers in the United States: Certification-Only, J-1 Exchange Program, and H-1B Work Visa for specialized subjects such as Mathematics. Among these options, the J-1 Exchange Program is the most prevalent. This program enables non-immigrant teachers, professors, and other professionals to work in the US for up to three years, with the possibility of an extension for an additional one or two years. To be eligible for a J-1 visa for teachers, applicants must be non-US residents and currently employed as primary or secondary school teachers in their home country.

Those not currently teaching must possess either an advanced degree or a minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience within the past eight years. Furthermore, they must hold a degree equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree in their intended teaching subject, meet the teaching standards of the US state where they wish to work, and demonstrate English fluency. Applicants require an approved organizational sponsor who screens and selects qualified teachers, matches them with potential schools, and oversees their stay to ensure they fulfil their roles. Essential documents include the DS-2019 Form, also known as the 'Certificate for Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status,' provided by the sponsor.

This form is crucial for applying for the visa and securing an interview with the US Embassy in Kenya. Other required documents include a Sponsorship Letter, Employment Offer Letter from an accredited US primary or secondary school, DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, a valid passport, and recent passport-sized photographs. During the send-off ceremony, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the importance of the teachers' roles as ambassadors of Kenya's values and aspirations. He underscored that their success in the international arena would not only benefit them personally but also elevate the standing of Kenyan education worldwide.

Mudavadi assured the teachers and Kenyans in the diaspora of the government's commitment to protecting their rights and welfare while working abroad. The Prime Cabinet Secretary also reminded the teachers of the importance of maintaining discipline, focus, and a strong work ethic. He noted Kenya's global reputation for producing trustworthy, reliable, and competent workers across various sectors. Mudavadi urged the teachers to respect and adhere to the laws of their host country, emphasizing the necessity of adapting to new norms immediately upon arrival on foreign soil.