TSC Removes Additional Lessons from SNE Teachers
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has made a significant policy shift aimed at improving the quality of education for students with special needs. In a recent directive, TSC has confirmed that teachers assigned to special units within regular schools will no longer be required to take on additional teaching duties in standard classes.
Policy Update
In a circular numbered 11/2024, dated August 14, 2024, TSC Secretary and CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia announced this new policy. The circular was addressed to all Curriculum Support Officers and heads of institutions. Dr. Macharia explained that under the previous system, teachers responsible for special units were also tasked with teaching regular classes. This dual responsibility, she noted, often compromised the quality of support provided to students in special units.
“The practice of assigning teachers to both special units and regular classes undermines the specialized support required by learners with unique needs,” Dr. Macharia stated. “It diminishes the overall objective of providing high-quality education to these students.”
Implementation of the Directive
Under this new policy, teachers dedicated to special units will now focus solely on their primary responsibilities. The directive mandates that these educators should not be given additional teaching duties in standard classrooms. TSC Field Officers have been instructed to enforce this directive across all educational institutions to ensure compliance.
Strategic Recruitment and Deployment
The TSC’s commitment extends to a strategic approach in recruiting and deploying teachers trained in Special Needs Education (SNE). These educators are specially equipped to handle a range of disabilities, including mental handicaps, autism, physical handicaps, cerebral palsy, hearing and visual impairments, and deaf-blindness.
This policy shift follows an earlier agreement between the TSC and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) made during a retreat in Naivasha on April 8, 2024. The agreement included several key resolutions:
- Redeployment of SNE Teachers: The TSC agreed to redeploy 6,000 SNE teachers who had requested transfers from regular to special needs institutions.
- Dedicated SNE Section: A new SNE section has been established at the TSC headquarters to specifically address the needs of SNE teachers and improve the management of special education resources.
- Exemption from Extra Duties: As part of this agreement, the exemption of SNE teachers from additional teaching duties in regular classes was implemented to better support their focus on students with special needs.
Impact on Special Needs Education
The TSC’s decision reflects a commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students with special needs. By allowing SNE teachers to concentrate fully on their specialized roles, the TSC aims to ensure that students receive the dedicated attention and quality education they require. This measure is expected to address previous shortcomings where the dual role of teachers led to diminished support for students in special units.
Looking Ahead
This policy change represents a proactive step towards improving educational outcomes for students with special needs. By implementing these changes, the TSC hopes to foster an environment where specialized teachers can work effectively without the added strain of managing regular classroom duties. The focus now is on ensuring that these measures are effectively communicated and enforced across all institutions to achieve the desired impact on the education of students with special needs.
