OPINION
UNICEF Kenya Representative, Maniza Zaman. [Courtesy]
Children have endured difficult times since Covid-19 arrived in Kenya. In 2020, school closures interrupted learning for over 17 million children and increased risk of violence, child labour and child marriage.
Mental well-being suffered, and it was encouraging to see the safe return of children to schools in 2021 and subsequent exam results – in which 893 candidates scored grade A, up from 627 in 2019.
But for many children, the return to school has not yet meant a return to normality. First, because of the learning loss younger and rural children experienced and second, because some children have not returned yet.
THE STANDARD
EDUCATION
Grade Four Pupils at Bidii Primary School in Nairobi after learners resumed learning in January. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
A fresh row is brewing between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) over impending mass transfers and delocalisation of school heads.
Panic has hit over 30,000 heads of public schools as details emerged of a fresh shake-up by the TSC.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has directed its regional staff to collect and forward data of school heads who have stayed in one station for over nine years.
In a February 26 memo to all Regional Directors, TSC wants to be furnished with details of primary school headteachers and principals of secondary schools who have exited the teaching service.