The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is on the spot for failing to include Teacher Professional Development (TPD) certificates in this years teacher promotion interviews.
Teachers who undertook the modules have blamed the Commission for duping them into a dubious program that has only wasted them money and time.
This is despite TSC indicating in its Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) that teachers who have taken the TPD modules will be considered for promotion.
In its December and January score sheets for both primary and post primary institution teachers, TSC did not include TPD certification as a recognizable award or certificate.
TPD was introduced two years ago amid protests from teachers with first module, introductory module, started in September 22, 2021, when TSC first launched the programme.
The Commission picked Mt Kenya University, Kenyatta University, Riara University and the Kenya Education Management Institute to offer the professional training to teachers.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia said more institutions and colleges will be invited to offer TPD training to teachers.
Teachers are required to pay sh 6,000 yearly for six modules which take five years each.
Some teachers who attend TPD sessions during evening and night classes were already issued with the certificate after completing all the five areas of the introductory module.
The introductory module covered the following areas.
- Teacher Professionalism
- CBC, Pedagogy and Inclusive Practices
- Assessment
- Comprehensive School Health and Safety
- Instructional Leadership and Financial Literacy
However many teachers are yet to join the six-module course which TSC said would form the basis of their promotion and employment.
Majority of teachers cite hard economic times which they say make it impossible for them to fund for their training.
In May when she appeared before the Parliamentary Education Committee, Macharia explained that due to the dynamic teaching environment, professional teacher development is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning in the classroom.
TPD involves the career-long processes and related systems and policies designed to enable educators (teachers, administrators, and supervisors) to acquire, broaden, and deepen their knowledge, skills, and competencies in order to effectively perform their work.
“Professional Development is the continuous updating of professional knowledge and improvement of personal competence throughout one’s teaching life,” she said.
Macharia had requested a total of sh 4.2 billion for teacher promotion and TPD program to be allocated in July 2023 budget.
