TSC releases guidelines to teachers on Community based learning programs

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The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has released guidelines to teachers on how to carry out the Community-based learning program. The program expected to kick-off next month will see the over 10 million learners receive free teaching services in their villages. The learners have been at home, since March, due to the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic in the country.

WHAT TSC EXPECTS THE TEACHERS TO DO

Teachers who will be offering the services will have to register with the local education officials. It will be the responsibility of the TSC Sub-county and Curriculum Support Officers to enlist teachers within their areas of jurisdiction. Tutors will only register in areas where they live and will not have to travel to their teaching stations.

Teachers will engage learners on life skills during the daily face-to-face lessons. Training in daily chores such as farming will also be offered.

Learning activities will encompass activities like numeracy, reading and comprehension. Apart from covering the curriculum syllabus, teachers will at the same time provide guidance and counselling to learners.

Another task that will be carried out by teachers is that of testing and grading.

“The teachers should use discussion groups during learning and even grading can be done among peers,” reads the TSC guidelines; in part.

Before the programmes are rolled out, teachers will undergo orientation on learner engagement. During orientation, teachers will be trained on how to ensure safety of learners as pertains the Ministry of Health guidelines in curbing spread of the killer Covid-19 disease.

The teachers will file periodic progress reports and hand them to the Curriculum Support officers.

HOW CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED

According to the TSC guidelines, learners will be taught in open spaces and in community halls. The classes will have not more than 15 learners. The classes. The lessons will last for a maximum of four hours daily; from Monday to Friday.

As a mandatory requirement, the learners will have their face masks on and they must be one metre apart.

The learning programmes will be closely monitored by TSC, Ministry of education officers and those from the Interior Ministry. Chiefs and the ‘Nyumba Kumi’ officers will identify the learners and ensure they attend the programs.

Emphasis will be on utilization of modern technologies in teaching. Learners will be allowed to use their their digital devices like smart phones, tablets and laptops. Classes will also be encouraged to use radio, television and online content. Teachers will though be expected to be cognizant with the fact that not all learners have access to modern digital devices.

This new arrangement is expected to ease burden on parents with cases of teenage pregnancies having a spike during the current covid-19 closure.