NAIROBI: The latest damning report on the status of teaching in Kenya indicts all education stakeholders. More worrying is the revelation that some teachers have not internalised the curriculum they are supposed to teach. How did we end up with such teachers in our schools? Who posted them there and made them part of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) pay roll?
Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi released the Global Monitoring Report Education for All 2000-2015 Report last week, which poses serious questions on the quality of instruction in our schools. The report, for instance, shows that Kenyan teachers are losing much-needed skills because there are no in-service training opportunities. It says majority of teachers seeking further education, do so at their own cost and in most cases, there are no incentives like promotions or pay hikes after upgrading one’s skills. There is also no motivation to come up with innovative methods to teach hard concepts.
Besides these challenges, there is a huge shortage of teachers, which the Ministry of Education and the national government must address to boost quality of education. Majority of parents like myself, are always asking what steps are being taken to address these challenges? Is the Jubilee government committed to stepping up the quality of education offered in public and private institutions?
For decades, Kenyans have complained of the unlevelled playing ground in which students are subjected to the same national examinations. What is the CS doing to help level the ground? Providing computers and constantly improving schools’ infrastructure will help tackle the glaring disadvantages pulling down pupils from poor regions.
It is disheartening to hear and read news of the constant bickering in this key sector. The latest disagreement is on the policy requiring head teachers to be accountable to the Ministry. Before the Kenya National Union of Teachers speaks to the Press on such directives, there should be wide and constructive consultation. The CS should work harder to convince majority stakeholders of the importance of his new directives.
The school curriculum, school management and delivery of the national examinations are crying out for a major overhaul. Prof Kaimenyi must also be ready to silence voices of anti-reformists, while at the same time accommodating voices of reason and stakeholders looking for visionary policies. The education sector is a key determinant of the nation’s future, hence sound leadership is crucial. Kaimenyi should strive to win over parents, learners, teachers and all those involved in the sector.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join