Kenya Teachers Service Commission Backs Down On Plan To Scrap B.Ed Degree

The Teachers Service Commission in Kenya appears to have backed down from its earlier recommendation to scrap the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree programme from September this year.

The commission, in a presentation to deans of schools of education in universities, had recommended that teacher trainees undertake either a three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree, study three teaching subjects and later study for a post-graduate diploma in education.

Currently, B.Ed students specialise in two teaching subjects in addition to education units studied from the first year

Since information went out about the proposal, there has been heated debated from stakeholders in the education sector. It also caused concern among trained but jobless teachers that they could be left out of employment.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has already supported the recommendation to change teacher training.

However, the TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia now says that a decision has not been made yet and that if changes to teacher training will be effected, they will not disadvantage past or present holders of the B.Ed degree.

She added that the mandate of the TSC is limited to reviewing and advising on the standards of education and training of persons entering the teaching service in Kenya.

Macharia explained that the new entry grades for teachers had originated from a report by a task force on the implementation of the competence based curriculum (CBC).

She added that such reforms will be implemented in a methodical, systematic and phased manner that will not disadvantage any past or present graduate of a valid education degree.

Macharia said a date of implementation will clearly be spelt out in a manner that will ensure a seamless transition from the 8-4-4 education system to the new competence based curriculum.

It has been revealed that the recommendations contained in a document titled, Framework on Entry Requirements in the Teaching Service, prepared by the director, Quality Assurance and Standards, Dr Reuben Nthamburi, even have timelines for implementation.

Deans of schools of education from 56 universities offering the B.Ed programme are finalising a joint response to the TSC proposal.

Last week, Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, Paul Wainaina, strongly opposed the TSC recommendations.

In a response he presented to the Inter-Public University Council Consultative Forum and seen local media, he pokes holes into the plan to do away with the degree course, which has been taught in Kenyan universities since 1970.

Kenyatta University is the main trainer of secondary school teachers in the country.

The Ministry of Education last year phased out the training of certificate in primary teacher education (P1) and replaced it with a diploma in primary teacher education. The first intake was done last month, even though it attracted few applicants since most students did not meet the new entry requirements.

Macharia announced that TSC would advertise teaching jobs from next month, after the commission was allocated Sh2.5 billion for the recruitment of 5,000 teachers in the next financial year. 6,000 intern teachers will also be recruited at a cost of Sh1.2 billion.