Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs) want the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to consider them for Principal Teacher Management Officer (PTMO) positions while they are still young and vibrant.
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Their concerns stem from recent PTMO promotions that favored older officers, sidelining younger and more enthusiastic CSOs who want to showcase their skills in teacher management at the sub county level.
Increased Workload, Stagnant Career Growth
A job satisfaction and motivation survey among CSOs revealed frustrations over increased workload without corresponding remuneration. Many officers feel they are overlooked in promotions despite their critical role in curriculum implementation.
“I have been a head teacher for many years and now a CSO, why should I wait until I am 55 or 58 years to be promoted to PTMO?” asked Andrew, who was shortlisted for the 2023 PTMO promotions but was not selected.
Succession Planning Concerns
A big cohort of CSOs was promoted to PTMO positions in 2023 but many of them are now retiring in mass leaving human resource officers to handle teacher management issues in sub counties.
“Most of those promoted in 2023 are now exiting. This leaves offices in a precarious position, forcing human resource officers to oversee teacher management issues,” said a CSO from Kiambu County, adding at 46 years she was well prepared to take sub county leadership.
CSOs argue TSC is not recognizing importance of experience in succession planning and instead is prioritizing age over merit and competence.
CSOs Expanded Roles and Leadership Potential
Today CSOs hold many responsibilities that are similar to those of sub county directors including:
Overseeing and managing educational programs
Providing leadership in curriculum implementation
Coordinating curriculum support officers
Facilitating teacher registration and enforcing compliance
Despite these duties their career progression is uncertain as TSC continues to favor older officers for higher positions.
National Meeting to Address Promotion Concerns
A two day national meeting will be held from March 21st at Moi Avenue School where county CSO chairpersons will discuss promotion criteria and career progression.They expect to be heard.
Training Program
Training Program (WOW) employees are still young and energetic, considering the teacher (TSC) as the main employee (PTMO) who manages teachers (PTMO).
Their concerns are related to recent PTMO action that favors older adults, and wants to eliminate more enthusiastic WOWs and demonstrate teacher management skills at the subject level.
Increased Workload, Stagnant Career Growth
A job satisfaction and motivation survey among CSOs revealed frustrations over increased workload without corresponding remuneration. Many officers feel they are overlooked in promotions despite their critical role in curriculum implementation. “I’ve been a major teacher for many years, but why do I now have to wait until I’m 55 or 58 at CSO, PTMO?” he asked Andrew, who was included in PTMO stock shorts in 2023 but was not selected.
Planning for continuity
The large cohort was raised in PTMO positions in 2023, many of them are now resigning on large leave of HR employees to solve Subfrey’s business management issues. “The rise in 2023 now places offices in a volatile position, forcing HR to observe teacher management issues. WoW says that TSCs do not recognize the importance of experience in planning lines, but rather distribute ages in relation to merit and skills.
WOW has expanded the role and possibilities of leadership
Today, there are many responsibilities, particularly similar to the functions of the subject directors.
- Supervision and management of educational programs
- Ensuring leadership in program implementation
- Tuning training programs
- Promote teacher registration and ensure compliance with requirements
- Despite these tasks, their careers are unclear as TSC continues to prefer senior executives for higher positions.
National Meeting to Address Promotion Concerns
A two day national meeting will be held from March 21st at Moi Avenue School where county CSO chairpersons will discuss promotion criteria and career progression.They expect to be heard.
