TSC teachers who will to report to work today could face a severe punishment, TSC officials have been quoted in todays newspapers.
While quoting relevant TSC clauses to be breached for absenteesm the officials said teachers have today as the deadline for reporting to schools to prepare for eventual reopening.
Sub-County Directors of Education (SDEs) warned teachers that missing today’s deadline amounted to absconding work which is a punishable offence.
“Teachers will not be allowed to ask for a day off, they must all report today and on subsequent days for the tasks directed by the Ministry of Education to run smoothly,” read one of the circular.
According to previous wrangles, teachers were threatened with removal from payrolls for absconding duties through various means such as strikes and demonstrations.
The teachers had been directed to report back to their respective institutions to adequately prepare for schools eventual reopening as Covid-19 curve flattens.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Dr Nancy Macharia had asked the SDEs, Regional Directors and TSC County Directors to coordinate the preparations exercise after the tutors return.
“All teachers are directed to take part in development of innovative strategies designed to offer psychological support to learners, parents and stakeholders,” stated Macharia.
The teachers were also directed to take part in making adequate arrangements for re-opening of schools, which shall include the following:
a) Work with relevant Stakeholders to ensure thorough cleaning of classrooms, offices, dormitories, all school amenities and ensure that the same are in habitable conditions for Learners.
b) Development of innovative strategies designed to offer psychosocial support to Learners, Parents and other Stakeholders.
c) Preparation of curriculum delivery materials including timetables, schemes of work, lesson plans and related activities for curriculum implementation and delivery;
d) Development of innovative strategies and mechanisms for curriculum implementation while upholding the Ministry of Health Guidelines and protocols for containment of the spread of COVID-19 including social distancing, regular handwashing, use of sanitizer and wearing of face masks.
e) Proper sharing of duties and responsibilities among all Teachers while making deliberate efforts to protect Staff with underlying conditions.
Regarding official school reopening dates for students, Magoha clarified that despite the stakeholders’ taskforce recommending that schools reopen from Monday, October 19, a definitive date had not been agreed on yet.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to issue a final reporting date as well as the school calendar after chairing a national Covid-19 conference.
“The conference is expected to chart a responsible path forward for Kenya as our nation establishes the new normal of adaptation to living with Covid-19 and outline a strategy for building and sustaining momentum with regard to recovery and resilience in a manner ensures Kenya bounces back better and stronger,” stated Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
According to a research by World Health Organisation (WHO), only a quarter of schools in Sub-Saharan Africa have achieved basic hygiene services. Only 44% have clean drinking water.