The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has requested a budget of Sh4.3 billion to address key areas in the education sector.
The allocation includes Sh2.2 billion for promoting teachers who have been stuck in the same job group for an extended period, as well as those who have acquired higher qualifications.
An additional Sh2.1 billion is earmarked for the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) program.
In a presentation to the National Assembly’s education committee, TSC emphasized the need for more funds to recruit interns and implement comprehensive medical coverage for teachers.
This article explores the commission’s budgetary requirements and their significance in the education sector.
Teacher Promotions and TPD
TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia highlighted the issue of teachers stagnating in their job groups, which leads to demotivation and reduced productivity.
To combat this problem, the commission is seeking Sh2.2 billion to promote teachers across different job cadres.
Last month, TSC advertised promotions for over 14,000 senior teachers, including principals, deputy principals, senior masters, secondary teachers, head teachers, and deputy head teachers.
The vacancies are spread across primary and secondary schools, with Deputy Head Teacher II for regular primary schools having the highest number of posts at 7,720.
Macharia stressed the significance of professional teacher development in a dynamic teaching environment.
The TPD program plays a crucial role in equipping educators with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively perform their duties.
Professional development is an ongoing process throughout a teacher’s career, aimed at updating professional knowledge and enhancing personal competence.
TSC is requesting Sh2.1 billion to support the TPD program and ensure teachers are equipped to deliver quality education.
To address the shortage of teachers in public schools and enhance the quality of education, TSC plans to hire 20,000 intern teachers.
Additionally, TSC requires Sh300 million to finance programs and activities at the county and sub-county levels, which play a vital role in the implementation of teacher performance appraisal, development, and disciplinary processes.