Grade three pupils of Gichiche Primary School in Embu East sub-county practice teeth brushing under the guidance of their teacher [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]
The compulsory Teachers Professional Development (TPD) training will continue as the case filed at the High Court proceeds to hearing.
Yesterday, the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nakuru allowed the withdrawal of a notice of motion that sought interim orders barring the implementation of the government programme.
Justice David Nderitu said parties in the case shall proceed to file their responses to the petition filed by Joseph Karanja, an education consultant.
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Mr Karanja has sued the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Education Cabinet Secretary, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kenyatta University, Mt Kenya University, Riara University and Kenya Education Management Institute over the programme.
He wants the training stopped, arguing the decision was made in secrecy and without the involvement of teachers who are the primary subjects of the programme.
Karanja also claims TSC violated the Constitution in appointing the listed institutions to offer the programme.
However, Justice Nderitu marked the notice of motion filed by Karanja on September 27, as withdrawn and asked the parties to proceed to present their responses and submissions. The judge directed TSC, the ministry and the listed universities to file their responses to the petition within 30 days.
Thereafter, Karanja shall respond to the response by TSC and the institutions within seven days of service and file written submissions within the same period and serve.
“The respondents shall thereafter file their written submissions within 14 days of service,” Nderitu said, adding no interim orders were sought and or issued.
“For avoidance of doubt, no interim orders have been sought, issued or granted,” said the judge.
According to TSC, the development training would be used to determine promotions and continued employment.
Teachers are required to undertake in-service professional training lasting five years upon which their teaching certificate shall be renewed.
In the programme, teachers are expected to undertake six modules each lasting five years. They will be required to pay Sh6,000 annually for the training.
The training will be offered at Kenyatta, Mt Kenya and Riara universities and Kenya Education Management Institute.
The case will be mentioned on November 29 to confirm compliance and deal with issues of whether there will be need to highlight the submissions.
