TSC- This is what teachers fear most

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revealed top ten fears among teachers. According to a new report on teachers’ preparedness report the anticipated new fourth wave of Covid-19 has been listed as the greatest challenge facing teachers, currently.

The report further says that teachers may not be well prepared to tackle the challenges (of the new wave of covid 19) due to inadequate funding, limited water and fear of the unknown.

The second challenge facing teachers is that of syllabus coverage. The report says the congested school calendar may lead to hurried coverage of the syllabus in schools, and according to the teachers, this may affect quality teaching and learning.

“Because of available time, the quality learning is a headache to teachers,” said Reuben Nthamburi, TSC director of quality assurance.

Thirdly, teachers fear congestion in schools due to the overstretched infrastructure; as all learners troop back to schools.

“Many children will all be coming in at the same time. And with few spaces available, teachers are worried,” adds Dr Nthamburi.

Additionally, increase in teachers’ workload is sending cold shivers to the teachers; who say more work will be at their disposal and managing children and running schools will be immense for them.

Implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has been listed as the fifth fear among teachers. Much as the CBC books have been dispatched to schools, the teachers hold that the implementation of the new curriculum in the other classes, including the pioneer class, will remain a headache.

Another fear among teachers is the challenge on Fees payment by parents. The teachers say the effects posed by the current Covid 19 pandemic may limit parents’ ability to meet school fees obligations.

Here is the full list of fears among teachers, as documented by TSC:

• New wave of the deadly Covid 19 pandemic,
• Syllabus coverage,
• Congestion in schools due to the overstretched infrastructure,
• Increase in teachers’ workload,
• Implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC),
• Fees payment by parents,
• Early pregnancies,
• Drug and substance abuse,
• Insecurity as children go to schools,
• Disasters and
• School dropouts.

The Commission has come up with measures to mitigate against these fears. Some of these include:

1. Increase psychosocial support,
2. Increase access to water and soap, minimize the use of sanitisers,
3. Sustain positive messages to teachers,
4. Train teachers on the management of Covid-19,
5. Enhance contacts with health institutions and personnel for regular checkups,
6. Blended learning: Incorporate remote learning as alternative modes of curriculum delivery.
7. No more stopping leaning in case of another surge.
8. Urging all teachers to be vaccinated against Covid 19. So far, some 158,720, teachers have received the first dose of the vaccine, with another 89,611 fully vaccinated.

Also see;

TSC releases list of teachers who are not eligible for employment, gives reasons

TSC opens 2021/2022 Term one TPAD portal for teachers (See deadline and latest guidelines)

A checklist of all Professional Documents to be prepared by Teachers in the New TPAD 2: Free Checklist Form Download

TSC issues stern warning to teachers over school fees