Are you a P1 teacher hoping to be employed by the Teachers Service Commission? Buckle up, because I’ve got some news that might give P1 teachers in Kenya a bit of a surprise. So, from the year 2024 onward, simply having a Primary Teacher Education (PTE) certificate won’t be enough to snag a license for teaching in primary schools. Yep, you heard that right!
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which happens to be the boss of all teachers, recently dropped a report stating that PTE qualifications alone won’t cut it anymore. The reason? Well, it’s all because of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) that will be introduced in Grade 1 to Grade 6 across all primary schools. It’s kind of a big deal.
According to the commission, they’re now looking for teachers who have completed Competency Based Teacher Education (CBTE), which is the fancy new upgrade from PTE. So, all you PTE teachers out there, you might want to consider leveling up to the current Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) if you want to stay in the game.
Oh, and did I mention that the commission made it crystal clear that the lowest entry level into the teaching profession will now be a Diploma? That means only teachers with DPTE qualifications will be considered for primary school teaching positions. Say goodbye to the good ol’ days, huh?
Now, if you manage to land a teaching gig with the DPTE, you’ll find yourself in job group C1. Pretty snazzy, right? But here’s the kicker: the commission will be phasing out job category B5, which is the current entry grade for primary school teachers. It’s like they’re playing musical chairs with job categories, and you better be ready to catch the right one!
But fear not, my friends. In light of all this, the commission is planning to launch an upgrade program to help all you PTE teachers level up to the CBC Diploma. Of course, there are some fees involved because nothing in life comes for free, right?
Now, let’s break it down. The registration fees for the DPTE upgrade program are as follows:
- Basic Fee: Ksh 1,200
- Assessment Fee for all Subjects: Ksh 12,000
- Practicum Fee: Ksh 2,500
- Total Assessment Fees: Ksh 15,700
So, if you’re a P1 instructor yearning to take that leap to the DPTE, here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure you have a valid PTE Certificate and are registered with the Teachers Service Commission. Can’t skip that part.
- Brace yourself for a 1500-hour program. It’s going to be a wild ride, so hold on tight!
- You’ll need to complete the full-time residential course because, well, they want to make sure you’re committed and all.
- Don’t forget to take all the courses mentioned in the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education upgrading program. They’re the keys to unlocking your teaching potential!
- And finally, complete a 300-hour teaching practicum. It’s like the icing on the cake, the final touch to your DPTE journey.
Once you’ve checked off all those boxes, you’ll be on your way to receiving that coveted Diploma. Just make sure you’ve got the required hours of coursework and pass the evaluation conducted by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC). Easy peasy, right?