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All set as varsities roll out refresher training

Monday, December 20th, 2021 12:35 | By
Graduates say transferable skills, which include capacity for problem-solving and critical thinking, are the traits that matter most in workers, yet universities are not doing enough to ensure their students are graduating with these competencies under their belt.

Thousands of teachers drawn from across the country have registered for the controversial teacher refresher courses, which kick off this week.

Yesterday, the four institutions selected to offer the programme dubbed “Teachers Professional Development (TPD)” said they were ready to roll out the courses which will be conducted online.

The four institutions; Mt Kenya University (MKU), Riara University, Kenyatta University (KU) and Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) confirmed that they had attained the minimum number to start the training, which the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) set at 5,000.

For instance, at MKU, more than 18,000 teachers have registered across the country to commence the TPD programme, with the institution welcoming the uptake.

“Given the enrollment patterns, we will have over 20,000 teachers registered for the TPD programme by the end of this month. The uptake of the programme has been encouraging,” said MKU in a statement.
Learning App

Registration data from MKU shows that 18,688 teachers had enrolled by last week with the highest number from private schools, standing at 1,697.
For public schools, the highest number of teachers registered is drawn from Nakuru County at 1,367 followed by Kilifi (1,118), Kisumu (758) and Bungoma (716) teachers.

Those undertaking the courses will be required to download an App created by respective universities to facilitate learning.

The programme commences this week despite revolt from some teachers, who termed it as an affront to fair labour practices.

Riara University launched its programme on Thursday last week, with the portal expected to go live today, followed by introductory module mid week.

Launching the programme, Riara University Vice Chancellor Robert Gateru said that teaching and learning, must adapt to the changes in the market.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic has also shown the power of technology when it comes to learning, which should be embraced.

Gateru, who said that their structure will be blended, urged teachers to download the learning App to access and register to access as much information as they can.

“We will give a flexible experience and it will be possible for teachers to learn as they teach. You do not have to learn during school holidays, you can undertake the exercises even during the term, where they will just go to the App and do an exercise,” said Gateru.

Blended approach

According to KU, the TPD programme will be delivered through modules, intended to equip teachers with professional knowledge, skills and attitudes; to address pedagogy and content, using the Competency Based Teacher Education model.

“A blended learning approach will be used to deliver content of the modules. This will entail face-to-face sessions, where various designated centres will be located in sub counties as well as an online learning,” said the university in a notice.

KU also said that other models of delivery will include participation in a country network to create a community of practice among teachers, follow up observation visits to schools by the university teacher educators as well as lesson study.

Upon successful completion of the modules, the institutions will offer a transcript and a certificate for renewal of the teaching licence, with a teacher expected to pay Sh6,000 per year.

As the programme implementation commences, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary General Akelo Misori said TSC should have conducted a vigorous sensitisation programme for teachers to undertake TPD.

“Our major challenge in the process is that TSC, which is the holder of the programme, has left universities to popularise the programme instead of them  going to teachers; who are their employees to tell them why the courses are necessary,” said Misori.

He added: “Circulars are very quiet and not giving deadlines, it is the service providers who are giving deadlines and when they are beginning their lessons. I have also seen them advertise.”

TSC has, however, insisted that the refresher courses are not meant to punish teachers, saying that it is part of the ongoing reforms in the education sector, designed to equip them with skills to handle emerging global trends.

Teachers are expected to enroll and undertake a TPD programme on face-to-face session for five days, once a year during a school holiday.

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