Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs) have made a clarion call to the employer (TSC) to consider them with Principal Teacher Management Officer (PTMO) positions when they are still full of energy to dispense services. The officers’ calls seem to stem from the recent PTMO promotions that were largely hinged on the age factor.
Through its survey on job satisfaction and motivation, the CSOs interviewed were quick to point out that the commission had of late increased their workload while maintaining the same remuneration. On job growth, the commission’s key representatives voiced concerns on promotion to PTMO positions.
“Having been a head teacher for a good number of years and now a CSO, why should I wait until I am 55 or 58 years to be promoted to become a PTMO?” Asked Andrew who did interview for the same position in 2023.
An in-depth survey done by this platform established that the major cohort of CSOs to be promoted to PTMO positions was in 2023 where the commission gave consideration to the elderly. This left a strong battalion of young officers who were eyeing to showcase their skills in teacher management at the sub-county offices.
The left out officers wondered if experience during succession is not a factor for the largest employer in East and central Africa.
“Most of those promoted in 2023 are now exiting en masse through retirement. This leaves the offices in awkward positions forcing the human resource officers to oversee teacher management issues” Replied a lady CSO from Kiambu County who felt that at 46 years, she was ripe to steer the sub-county if given a chance.
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The commission seems not to appreciat the adage, “New brooms sweeps better” when it comes to teacher management issues. Already, the current CSOs have been given sweeping powers that mirror those of their supervisors, the sub-county directors. This, irrespective of their age, gives them the requisite knowledge of the sub-county offices.
Some of the responsibilities of the PTMO (Sub-county Directors) include; overseeing and managing educational programs and curriculum support, provide leadership and guidance in curriculum implementation and coordination of curriculum support officers and facilitating the processing of teacher registration and enforcement of the requirements for teacher registration.
As CSOs, county chairpersons convene for a two days national meeting at Moi Avenue School from 21st of March. Promotion to PTMO and better career progression guidelines are expected to be top on the agenda. The meeting will also be addressed by the commission’s top brass.
By Naboth Murunga.
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