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Get your fees refunds from schools- Government tells parents

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Schools have been ordered to refund all fees paid by parents for term 2 and 3. This is after education cabinet secretary prof George Magoha asked primary and secondary schools’ parents to collect all unused fees from respective schools.

On her part, State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena on Tuesday, July 8 advised parents wishing to get school fees refunds to approach school administration and chart a way forward.. Her statement came a day after Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha confirmed that schools would remain closed until 2021.

This comes after Prof. Magoha on Tuesday announced that the 2020 academic year will be considered lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Magoha announced that all primary and secondary schools will reopen in January, 2021; when the infection rates would have declined.

Magoha, however, advised that parents could also choose to carry forward the amount to 2021 to cater for fees when schools re-open.

During a radio interview on Wednesday, the government spokesperson agreed to the concerns of parents; mostly those who had cleared their 2020 school fees. Most hit, though, are parents with children in private schools; considering the fact that such schools charge high fees.

Kanze advised parents to approach Headteachers and Principals of schools on the way forward.

“Parents will need to communicate and reach agreements with the schools, if they want refunds or the amount carried forward,” she advised.

She added that many schools opted to continue with online teaching; just to prepare the learners for national examinations, in case they were to be held in 2020. She said schools and parents can find ways of engaging the learners while at home for the remaining many months.

“They did not want their students to be unprepared if it was announced that exams would be held this year. These online classes are also being offered by different groups and I think (many parents) do not want their children to be idle.. You have to realize that there are still a lot of months left to the end of the year, so it is important for children to also be engaged while at home” she added.

NO KCSE, KCPE EXAMS IN 2020

On Tuesday, CS Magoha said there will be no KCSE and KCPE examinations this year. All learners in primary and secondary schools will have to repeat their current classes next year.

Kanze said public schools that had received school fees capitation from the government will have to utilize the money in other projects and should wait for guidelines from the ministry of education. The schools have already refunded funds meant for co-curricular activities after they were ordered by the ministry to do so.

According to Kanze, the decision to post-pone the national examinations was arrived after considering learners in remote areas; who may not have access to the current online teaching programs offered by KICD.

“You might have wi-fi and the child has their own mobile device for e-learning, but think about that child in a remote place and attends Makwekwe Primary School. They don’t have wi-fi. Don’t you think if we test them on the same level we will be violating that child’s rights?” Kanze posed.

This latest move by the government will be a big sigh of relief for most parents who have been pushing for fees refunds. But, this directive may add more insult to injury for teachers and support staff whose salaries are drawn from students’ fees.

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Latest Interview areas, questions and new marking scheme/ Score sheet for teachers seeking TSC Promotions; This is all you need to know

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For teachers shortlisted to attend interviews by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), it is important to note that the Commission has developed a new score sheet and interview areas. Before embarking for your trip to the interview venue, it is important that you go through these guidelines in order to increase your chances of answering the interview questions as expected. Apart from TSC matters and general trends it is important that you familiarize yourself with the Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development, TPAD, areas. Also, be frank when answering the questions shot at you by the panelists.

INTERVIEW AREAS

The Commission has developed a new interview score sheet for promotions. The following areas are tested and a candidate must score 50% and above in order to be deployed.

The interview areas and maximum marks to be awarded:

A). ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITIES IN THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT

i). Achievements- 10 marks
ii). Co-curricular achievements- 8 marks
iii). Participation in Education affairs- 5 marks
iv). Knowledge on the formation, members and functions of BOG and
PTA- 5 marks
v)Role of the sponsor- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 30 marks

B). KNOWLEDGE OF EDUCATION ISSUES ESPECIALLY TRENDS IN THE POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD

i). Knowledge of all Education Commissions- 3
ii). Purpose for formation of such Commissions or working parties- 3 marks
iii). Their respective recommendations- 3 marks
iv). Adoptions/implementation- 3 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 12 marks

C). KNOWLEDGE OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION

I). Curriculum Development
i). Structure of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
ii). Function of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
iii). Current trends in the curriculum- 5 marks

II). Implementation
i). Structure and function of Teachers Service Commission- 5 marks
ii). Functions and structure of MOEST – Inspection and Directorate: 4 marks

III). Evaluation
i). Membership of Kenya National Examination Council- 3 marks
ii). Relationship between TSC, MoE/MoST, KNEC and KIE- 5 marks
SUB TOTAL: 28 marks

D). LEGAL FRAME WORK IN EDUCATION

i). Teachers Service Commission- 1 mark
ii). Education Act- 1 mark
ii). Kenya National Examination Council Act- 1 mark
iii). Trade and Dispute Act- 1 mark
iv). TSC Code of Regulations for teachers- 1 mark
v). Schemes of Service for teachers- 1 mark
vi). A Manual for Heads of Secondary Schools in Kenya- 1 mark
SUB-TOTAL: 7

E). OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS

i). Kenya Institute of Education- 2 marks
ii). Jomo Kenyatta Foundation- 2 marks
iii). Kenya Literature Bureau- 2 marks
iv). Kenya Education Staff Institute- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 8

F). FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

i). Knowledge of the three arms of Government and their interrelationship- 3 marks
ii). Legislature; Its function, role of speaker, clerk and sergeant-at-arms-  3 marks
iii). Executive; Functions, role of the Permanent Secretaries vis-à-vis Ministers- 3 marks
iv). Judiciary; Functions, Structure, Attorney General, Chief justice etc.- 3 marks
SUB TOTAL 12

G). General Knowledge 3

GRAND TOTAL: 100%

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SELECTION CRITERIA FOR ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS

To ascend to any of the administrative position in school, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has set a wide array of conditions that must be met by the teachers. These conditions and criteria for deployment are contained in the Career Progression Guideline for teachers of 2018 and the Policy on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators of 2017. The be appointed to any of the administrative positions, a teacher who meets the set qualifications applies, is shortlisted, attends an interview and successful ones are competitively appointed and deployed; accordingly.

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Below is an outline of the various administrative positions for various cadres of schools:

A). PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The secondary schools have been stratified and principals heading the various categories are placed in different grades, thus;
i). Principals of Sub- County and All Day schools: To be appointed so as to head this category of schools, one must have served as a Deputy Principal (Grade D2) for atleast 3 years. These schools are headed by a Principal having Grade 3 (T- Scale 13).
ii). County Schools with with over 540 students: These schools are headed by Senior Principals, Grade D4 (T- Scale 14). To be appointed to this grade, a teacher must have served as a Principal at Grade D3 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
iii). National and Extra County Schools with over 1000 students: Headed by a Chief Principal of Grade D5 (T- Scale 15). To be appointed to this grade, one must first serve for atleast 3 years at a Senior Principal; Grade D4.

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B). DEPUTY PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

i). Sub- County and All Day schools: Deputy Principal III of Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). To ascend to this position you must first serve as a Senior Master at Grade C5 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
ii). County Schools with with over 540 students: Deputy Principal II of Grade D2 (T- Scale 12). To be appointed to this grade one must have served as a Deputy Principal at D1 for atleast three (3) years.
iii). National and Extra County Schools with over 1000 students: Deputy Principal I; Grade D3 (T- Scale 13). To be promoted to this grade one must first serve as a Deputy Principal at D2 for atleast three (3) years.

Read also: TSC News- promotion requirements, responsibilities and appointment-criteria for senior masters and other administrative positions

C). SENIOR MASTERS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

i). Sub- County and All Day schools: Senior Master III of Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). To be promoted to this grade one must serve as a teacher at Grade C4 for over three (3) years.
ii). County Schools with with over 540 students: Senior Master II with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). To ascend to this position, a teacher must have served as a Senior Master III of Grade C5 (T- Scale 10) for a minimum period of three years.
iii). National and Extra County Schools with over 1000 students: Senior Master I with a qualification of Grade D2 (T- Scale 12). To ascend to this position, a teacher must have served as a Senior Master II with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11) for a minimum period of three years.

D). HEAD TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

i). Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners: Head Teacher with Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). To be appointed to this grade a teacher must have served as a Deputy Head Teacher at Grade C4 for atleast three (3) years.
ii). Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners: Senior Head Teacher with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). To be appointed to this grade a teacher must have served as a Head Teacher at Grade C5 for atleast three (3) years.

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E). DEPUTY HEAD TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

i). Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners: Deputy Head Teacher II Grade C4 (T- Scale 9). Experience required: Served as Senior Teacher at Grade C3 for atleast 3 Years.
ii). Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners: Deputy Head Teacher I at Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). Required experience: Served as Deputy Head Teacher at Grade C4 for atleast three (3) years.

F). SENIOR TEACHER- PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

i). Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners: Senior Teacher II with Grade C2. Qualification: Served as a Primary School Teacher I at Grade C1 for atleast three (3) years.
II). Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners: Senior Teacher I with Grade C3. Required experience: Served as Senior Teacher II at Grade C2 for a minimum period of three (3) years.

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