The TSC vs MoE supremacy battle is about to get fiercer as the latter introduces a new plan to assess learners with disabilities through regional centers.
MoE to Set Up 8 Education Assessment and Resource Centres (EARC)
The Ministry of Education with KISE and other stakeholders is setting up Education Assessment and Resource Centres (EARC) in 8 regions of the country. This marks a major shift in the assessment of learners with special needs which has been handled by TSC’s Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs) for long.
Under the new arrangement, MoE will directly recruit officers to man the assessment process and TSC’s CSOs will be redundant in this role. CSOs have been responsible for assessing, placing and referring learners with disabilities as well as sensitizing stakeholders on best practices to assist learners.
Uncertainty Hits TSC’s Curriculum Support Officers
With the new assessment structure, TSC’s CSOs are in a state of fear and uncertainty as their roles may become obsolete. Many of them however are optimistic that their experience in special needs assessment will see them absorbed into the new EARC centres. They argue that their expertise is crucial to ensure smooth implementation of the new system.
The shift in responsibility raises questions of possible conflicts between the two institutions. If MoE doesn’t coordinate well with TSC, the CSOs may resist being released to serve in the new centres and this may lead to legal battles.
Constitutional and Institutional Mandate Clash
The battle over who should assess learners with disabilities is not new. TSC feels that the function was constitutionally vested in them under the 2010 Constitution arguing that teacher management and related responsibilities fall under their jurisdiction. MoE on the other hand believes that overall wellbeing of learners including assessment is under their direct mandate.
This may lead to policy deadlocks and court battles delaying reforms meant to improve the education system for learners with disabilities.
Going Back to the Past System
The setting up of EARC centres is in line with the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms recommendations. According to the report KISE is supposed to manage the autonomous assessment centres in the 8 regions.Interestingly, a similar structure existed in the 90s and early 2000s when MoE had EARC centres. But because of lack of funding the centres collapsed. During that time CSOs under MoE ran the centres and also inspected teachers’ work in class. This one seems to be a move to go back to MoE’s control over special needs assessment.
Implications for Special Needs Education in Kenya
With over 1,000 CSOs under TSC, the transition will greatly impact how special needs learners will be assessed and supported. If the changes are well implemented, they will improve service delivery. But if not, they will cause confusion and disrupt assessment and placement of learners with disabilities.
The education stakeholders will be watching how TSC and MoE will handle this issue. The success of the new system will depend on collaboration, clear policy direction and efficient resource allocation.