The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is reportedly developing a new Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development system, TPAD 3, which is expected to replace the current TPAD 2 platform as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening accountability and professionalism in schools.
According to information from an anonymous source familiar with the plans, the upcoming TPAD 3 system will introduce more evidence-based appraisal measures for teachers.
Although the full features of the system are yet to be officially released, teachers are expected to upload certified professional documents, scanned lesson observation forms and other supporting records during evaluations.
The reforms are also expected to affect staffing management through the introduction of a new Teacher Management Information System (TMIS) for both primary and secondary schools.
The new system is intended to improve staffing efficiency and ensure equitable distribution of teachers across the country.
Under the proposed staffing model for primary schools, any class with 50 learners and below will be treated as one stream and allocated one teacher.
In a typical single-stream primary school, the staffing structure will consist of six teachers plus one additional teacher.
Any excess teachers in schools considered overstaffed are likely to be transferred to institutions experiencing shortages.
For Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), each stream is expected to accommodate 45 learners, with two teachers assigned per stream under the proposed arrangement.
The source further indicated that teachers unable to handle a full workload due to medical conditions will be required to present medical letters from Level 4 hospitals as supporting evidence.
Debate over JSS staffing
On the ongoing debate surrounding primary school teachers currently handling Junior Secondary School classes, the commission is said to have distanced itself from the arrangement, reportedly maintaining that there is no official policy authorising primary school teachers to teach in JSS.
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The reported reforms are expected to spark fresh debate among teachers and education stakeholders, especially on staffing redistribution, workload management and appraisal requirements.
TSC has yet to officially communicate the proposed changes.
By Philip Koech
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