TSC CEO Dismisses Munavu Education Reforms
The strong criticism that the Teachers Service Commission has leveled against several of the proposals made by the Raphael Munavu team puts the team’s plans to make improvements to the educational system in significant jeopardy.
The TSC has accused the Presidential Working Group on Education Reforms (PWPER) of attempting to undermine its power and responsibility over its people. This accusation was made by the TSC.
In a report that was sent to members of parliament in Mombasa, the Chief Executive of the TSC, Nancy Macharia, accused the reform team of failing to confer with the commission on teacher management concerns. This was an instruction given by the State House.
Dr. Macharia expressed concern that the team rejected the commission’s advise on important matters pertaining to teachers and excluded the TSC from key meetings and visits to educational institutions.
The TSC is of the opinion that carrying out these reforms in the manner described would strip the commission of the constitutional mandate that it was given, put its independence at risk, and necessitate amending the constitution through the use of citizen initiatives.
Particularly unsatisfactory to the TSC are the recommendations made with regard to matters including but not limited to: teacher education, entrance grades, school management, internship programs, and teacher administration.
The commission is willing to consider making certain revisions, but it insists that some tasks remain within its purview.
In general, the Teaching Service Commission views these amendments as having the potential to undermine its function as a regulator of the teaching service and educational quality in Kenya.
