Government Terminates Training of Over 3000 Teachers With D+ Minimum Entry

Government terminates training of 3000 teachers

In February, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority lowered credit for admission to teacher training colleges for diploma and certificate courses. Students with at least C- in KCSE would be admitted for diploma programmes, while certificate courses (P1) required a minimum of D+ opposed C plain.

Former Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed had argued that admitting 2006-2018 candidates with D+ would ensure every child had equal access to education as guaranteed by the Constitution while addressing the shortage of teachers, especially in northern Kenya.

But Teachers Service Commission rejected Amina’s decision, seeking court intervention saying her authority had no mandate to decide the entry grades for those joining the teaching standards.

As at now, at least 3,000 teacher trainees admitted to pursue P1 courses in public and private colleges are set to be sent home following a directive by the Ministry of Education as confirmed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang. According to Kipsang the Legal Notice, which had lowered grades for admission to the teacher training colleges has been revoked.

In a letter dated 26 April to the eight Regional Directors of Education, the PS instructed them to ensure all public and private colleges only train students who attained the minimum entry requirement of C plain for certificate courses (P1) and C+ for diploma courses. It also gives students the option of joining technical training colleges.

“You are hereby directed to bring to the attention of all principals of teacher training colleges, public and private, that entry grades for persons entering teacher training colleges shall remain as prescribed in legal notice No.50 of 2016,” read the letter.

Majority leader Aden Duale has vehemently opposed the decision calling on President Uhuru to intervene. The Senate Education Committee has since asked the government to compensate trainees who have been kicked out of the colleges saying it’s unfair for the government to keep the students in college for two terms and send them packing.