Varsity: We are ready to implement the Teachers Development Programme

Riara University has rolled out a robust programme in readiness to implement the newly rolled out Teachers Development Programme (TPD), with the first cohort of teachers expected to commence learning in December 2021.

The higher learning institution was accredited by the Teachers Service Commission to offer a modular-based Teacher Professional Development Programme (TPD) to all TSC registered teachers in the country together with the Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, and the Kenya Education Management Institute.

The course will also equip practising teachers with 21st Century core professional competencies and skills to enable them to meet the needs of the 21″ Century learner.

The modular-based Teacher Professional Development Programme will include modules like Professionalism, Pedagogy, Competency-Based-Curriculum and Assessment, Inclusive Education Practices, Instructional Leadership, Financial Literacy Skills, Comprehensive Health, Safety Skills for Teachers, Institutional Managers or Leaders and Instructional Leaders.

After the successful completion of each module, a completion certificate will be awarded by the university.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard, the varsity through the Dean in the School of Education Dr Julius Otundo outlined its elaborate plans to make the programme a success, touting TPD as a game-changer in establishing a professional workforce.

“The TPD program will be delivered via a blended approach (online and face-to-face) during school holidays based on the day-to-day activities of a teacher in the respective schools and accumulate 60 TPD points in the period of the study every year,” said Dr Otundo.

 “Each module is broken down into five chapters that will expose teachers to seven standards (KePTS). The course will also equip practising teachers with 21st Century core professional competencies and skills to enable them to meet the needs of the 21st Century learner, Otundo explained.

He said that Training will kick off in December 2021 with the Introductory Module. He added that Riara has been a key player in the Education Sector for 47 years now and its hallmark of quality is personalized attention, differentiated and experiential learning which will be the cornerstone of the University’s approach to the TPD program.”

The University assures all teachers and stakeholders that the Riara quality of training will be deployed fully within the TPD programme, including flexible payment options and presence in the sub-counties. 

“The programme cost per year is only six thousand shillings. This translates to 16.40 shillings a day.’ Elaborated Otundo.

“There have been concerns that the teacher’s employer should cater for the payment. However, Government does not pay for other professions.” He added.

A debate has been heightened since the Teachers' employer pronounced itself on the compulsory programme.

The new module will see public school teachers renew their professional certificates after every five years.

The Commission said it will use innovative assessment strategies in carrying out the programme, including the use of reflective journals, portfolios, and presentations.

The life-long learning programme is organized in six hierarchical competency levels where each level takes five years to complete. At the end of each module, successful teachers will have their teaching certificates renewed after every five years

According to Otundo, teaching like any other profession should be known by its practice, not by academic qualifications, and, Employers are no longer keen on on-table interviews, but expected competencies.

“Education programmers must be anchored on teacher’s professionalism, on how the teacher is best qualified. Teachers need to be looked at as best practitioners, just like we look at other professions. Every other year, lawyers, engineers, nurses, human resource practitioners, among other professionals renew their licenses. If you don’t renew you are termed as a non-practitioner,” he explained.

“This is why the Kenya National qualifications authority and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) rate a P1 teacher as unskilled. People think those are Dr Macharia’s words, but they aren’t hers.  When she goes to the SRC, they tell her that ‘your P1 teachers are unskilled and your graduate teachers are semi-skilled.’ When you are unskilled, it means your salary cannot be above a craftsman,” he continued.

On the question of teachers within the retirement age, Otundo says that their competence and skills will earn them slots as consultants once they retire. Qualified and accomplished could also earn slots as councillors or tutors in other institutions.

This article has been written by Gerard Nyele.

[email protected]