- Teachers have been encouraged to continue their education after securing employment to enhance career progression and professional growth.
- Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi says continuous learning opens doors to leadership and alternative career opportunities.
- The late James Chogo was remembered as an inspiring educator whose pursuit of higher education transformed his career.
Teachers across the country have been urged to continue advancing their education even after securing employment, with leaders saying lifelong learning is essential for career progression, professional growth and improved opportunities.
The call was made by Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi during the burial of the late James Chogo at Eromge Village on Friday.
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral to pay their last respects to the veteran teacher and civil servant.
Nyakundi said teachers should never regard employment as the end of learning but rather as an opportunity to pursue further academic and professional development.
“An educated teacher is an empowered teacher who can transform both the classroom and the community,” he said.
He encouraged teachers to continue upgrading their qualifications to improve their chances of promotion, expand their career options and better support their families.
The MP and other speakers described the late Chogo as a passionate educator whose thirst for knowledge never diminished after joining the teaching profession at Pagani Girls High School.
They noted that he continuously pursued further studies beyond his first degree, eventually becoming an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialist.
His additional qualifications enabled him to transition successfully from teaching into public service, where he served with the Kenya Ports Authority until his death.
Mourners also praised Chogo as a mentor who inspired colleagues and guided many young people who have since established successful careers in different parts of the world.
Education beyond employment
Education leaders observed that certificates and diplomas should not mark the end of professional development.
They noted that the teaching profession continues to evolve through curriculum reforms, technological advancement and changing learner needs.
According to the stakeholders, continuous learning has become a necessity rather than a luxury.
They pointed out that promotions within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other education institutions are increasingly linked to academic qualifications.
Teachers with bachelor’s, master’s or specialised qualifications in areas such as educational leadership enjoy greater opportunities for promotion to positions such as deputy principal, principal and education officer.
Further studies also enable teachers to transition into careers in curriculum development, guidance and counselling, public administration and development organisations.
Education experts noted that teachers who upgrade their qualifications acquire modern teaching methods, digital competencies and improved assessment skills that directly benefit learners.
They also observed that higher academic qualifications often translate into improved earnings, enabling teachers to better support their families through improved housing, healthcare and education.
Beyond financial benefits, continuous learning builds confidence, enhances leadership capacity and positions teachers as role models within their communities.
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The speakers concluded by encouraging teachers to embrace lifelong learning, saying the rapidly changing education landscape requires educators who continually update their knowledge and skills to remain relevant and effective.
By Enock Okong’o
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