TSC Initiates Teacher Training on TPAD and Remote Learning Techniques

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has launched a nationwide program to train educators on the updated Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) tool and Remote Learning Methodology (RLM).

According to TSC, this training will take place over three days, starting March 18, 2025, in nine counties chosen for piloting the new updates.

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve educational quality and adapt teacher assessment tools to new technological and educational developments, TSC has revised several key evaluation instruments.

These revisions include:

– Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) – Updates to teaching standards and appraisal criteria.
– Performance Contracting (PC) for School Administrators – New components aimed at enhancing accountability and efficiency.
– Lesson Observation Tool – Changes made to better evaluate classroom teaching effectiveness.

To ensure effective implementation, TSC has identified Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Meru, Baringo, Kajiado, Garissa, and Vihiga as the pilot counties where these updates will first be tested before a broader rollout.

The revision process began in September 2024, when a technical team from TSC headquarters visited the selected counties to collect essential data from teachers, deputy heads, and school heads regarding:

– The effectiveness of the current TPAD framework.
– The criteria used in Performance Contracting for administrators.
– The relevance and impact of the Lesson Observation Standards on improving teaching quality.

Using this data, the Commission developed a more refined and effective version of these tools. The next phase involves testing the updated tools in actual classroom and school settings to evaluate their effectiveness and practicality.

To ensure a smooth transition to these changes, TSC has organized a comprehensive teacher training program from March 17 to March 21, 2025. This initiative aims to equip educators with the necessary skills for the upcoming changes through a structured training approach.

A total of 556 Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) or Champions will be trained in each of the nine counties. These trainers will then pass on the training to teachers in their areas.

The training will focus on:

– New TPAD Teaching Standards – An updated framework designed to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
– TPAD 3.0 Dummy System – Practical training on utilizing the latest version of the system.
– Lesson Observation Standards, Tools, and Rating System – A systematic guide for evaluating teachers’ classroom performance.
– Remote Learning Methodologies – Best practices for incorporating technology and online learning tools into education.

To ensure quality training and meaningful participation, each of the nine counties is expected to train 556 teachers across seven learning areas, covering the four levels of public education institutions:

Primary schools

Junior schools

Secondary schools

Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs)

For an effective training environment, each county will identify two centrally located venues with adequate facilities.

These venues must:

Have a large hall to accommodate all participants for the opening session.

Provide at least four separate rooms for focused discussions based on the different education levels: Primary Science, Primary Social Studies, Junior School Subjects, Secondary and TTCs

With the education sector evolving rapidly, TSC’s initiative aims to equip teachers with the necessary skills to adapt to new performance appraisal standards, integrate digital learning methodologies, and improve classroom effectiveness.

Once the pilot phase is completed, the Commission will review feedback from the training sessions and make final refinements before rolling out the revised TPAD, Performance Contracting, and Lesson Observation Tools across the country.

Through these efforts, TSC continues to reaffirm its commitment to enhancing teacher professionalism, improving learning outcomes, and ensuring accountability in Kenya’s education sector.