By Azael Masese
Primary Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) are walking a tightrope, uncertain over the cut-off points to be required for one to train as a P1 teacher.
With a diminishing number of Kenyans enrolling at the TTCs, raising the entry grades to C plus, as earlier proposed, might prove a hurdle.
“This is impossible given the performance reported in the 2017 KCSE results,” noted Kericho Teachers Training College Principal, Achungo Elda.
Kenya Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) announced that those who scored a C+ (plus) and above will be admitted to university under a Government scholarship programme.
This translates to a premium placed for those who scored a C plain in the same examinations.
“Universities are going round inviting the same students we could admit to apply for diploma and degree courses in Primary Teacher Education,” she noted.
There is also talk around education circles on the possibility of lowering the cut-off points to a C minus, besides replacing the certificate offered with diploma.
Doing so will add a new mix to a scenario where majority of the colleges reported mass failures and referrals in 2015 and 2016.
Chester TTC Chief Principal Mr John Surum noted that if the cut-off points were to be lowered from the current C plain, it would compromise the quality of teacher trainees.
“We need students to teach and train but lowering the entry behaviour might produce teachers who are not qualified to handle their tasks,” said Surum.
He remained optimistic that performance might improve in the coming years hence the need to look at the prevailing trend and review the cut off points appropriately.
Matongo Lutheran Teachers Training College Principal Zebedeo Orina said they are likely to declare some staff redundant due to the low number of students seeking admission.
“We are desperate to get enough students to train as teachers and if the situation does not improve, we will have to downsize the number of employees we have,” he said.
Mr Orina agrees with Achungo that with universities inviting students to apply for courses such as ECDE, any communication will help dispel disquiet in the sector.
“The situation, he said, is dire and if the government continues like this, they will have to trim some workforce.
Eregi TTC principal Mr Arthur Achola however said the issue has to be treaded cautiously since any efforts to raise the cut off points must come through a policy framework perspective.
“Any agency such as KICD has to suggest to the parent ministry on the possibility of reviewing the cut off points and this has to pass through a chain of command,” he said.
Teacher Education Director, Ministry of Education, Mr Milton Mokah said any issue touching on teacher training entry behaviour has to come through as a policy.
Borabu TTC principal Mr Timothy Atuti said they are waiting for communication from the government on any prospect to lower the cut off points.
“We have turned away prospective teacher trainees with C minus but parents hope that the entry grade is lowered,” he said.
With those who scored C plus and above likely to get government sponsorship from the Higher Education Board, teacher trainees have to meet the expenses from their pockets.
Kenya Teachers’ Colleges Principals Association (KTCPA) chairman Mr James Wachaga noted in the past that raising the cut off points will pose a number of challenges to teacher trainee.
“Why one would struggle to join a P1 college where there is no financial assistance and not middle level colleges where they can access help?” he asked.
Mr Wachaga noted that matters are not helped either as those with diplomas are given preference when it comes to promotions further disorienting those interested in pursuing a career in primary teaching.
“Enrollment during the last intake was very poor and with those who scored C plain targeted by technical training institutes and TTCs,
“The technical training colleges offer training at diploma level for those with c minus and they are advantaged as they get financial support from Higher Education Loans Board,” he said.
In the face of this, he called for urgent reforms in teacher training colleges if the ongoing education reforms will register progress.
Saint Mark’s TTC Kigari Principal Mr James Muguna said teachers are critical actors in the ongoing education reforms and should have been placed at the centre stage.
“TTCs must reform to reflect the current trends in the education sector and that should have been done before the ongoing reforms in the education sector,” he advised.
He stated that they churn out teachers to implement the new reforms and expect them to be well informed than the pupil.
“Subsequently, the reforms should have started right at the doorsteps of the TTCs to ensure that the tutor is well informed and in turn inform the teacher trainee,” he advised.
