In the ever-evolving landscape of Kenya’s education sector, the adaptation to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) introduced in 2017 has presented unique challenges and opportunities for educators, students, and parents alike. One of the significant transformations was the establishment of Junior Secondary School (JSS), comprising grades 7, 8, and 9, underscoring the importance of teachers as the cornerstone of this transition. Recognizing the critical role of teachers, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) embarked on an intensive induction program to equip them with the necessary tools and skills. As a leading stakeholder in Kenya’s education sector, the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) has stepped forward to support this pivotal endeavor.
The Teachers Service Commission’s Role:
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) holds the mandate for the recruitment, training, and management of teachers in Kenya. Over the past week, TSC has orchestrated an extensive induction program for Junior Secondary School teachers across the country. To ensure efficient coverage and individualized attention, these training sessions are conducted at sub-county levels, allowing for simultaneous engagements.
KEWOTA’s Remarkable Involvement:
KEWOTA, with its growing membership of over 80,000 female teachers, stands out as a prominent organization in Kenya’s education landscape. This prominence was underscored during the recent World Teachers’ Day celebration, where the KEWOTA CEO pledged unwavering support to TSC initiatives. KEWOTA’s commitment to the development of female teachers in Kenya is evident through its continuous efforts to explore innovative avenues for their growth.
A Leap into Digital Transformation:
With the paradigm shift brought about by the CBC curriculum, Kenya has increasingly embraced digital methods of teaching and learning. Consequently, the demand for digital skills and resources has surged among educators and learners. KEWOTA has responded aptly to this need with the launch of a comprehensive digital initiative for its members. Under this program, KEWOTA members can own laptops through an affordable monthly payment plan, starting as low as KES 2,000. These laptops come equipped with approved digitized textbooks, access to TSC online services, and a vast library of self-development courses. Notably, the digital textbooks are interactive, empowering teachers to incorporate videos and animations into their pedagogy. Moreover, teachers can engage with students digitally, while parents gain access to monitor their children’s progress. KEWOTA members can also explore the opportunity of earning extra income through an online tutoring program that disburses weekly payments.
Enabling KEWOTA’s Coordinators:
In preparation for this digital transformation, KEWOTA’s coordinators underwent extensive digital skills training workshops. These workshops have equipped them to serve as digital mentors, enabling them to guide their peers effectively.
KEWOTA’s Hands-On Approach:
Throughout the week, KEWOTA has been actively present at various JSS induction venues, providing teachers with insights into the association’s services, enrolling new members, collecting feedback regarding the welfare of teachers, facilitating sign-ups for KEWOTA’s digital tutoring platform, and offering digital training sessions.
A Commitment to Enhancing Lives:
The events of this week underscore KEWOTA’s unwavering dedication to continually improve the living standards of its members. KEWOTA’s commitment and its deep-rooted focus on its members highlight its role as a member-centric organization.
A Testimonial:
A KEWOTA marketing executive from the head office shared, “It was quite the experience, a true lesson on speaking the teacher’s language and objection handling. It has inspired me to dig deeper into how our digital platforms work from the teacher’s end so as to handle queries better.”
A Surge in Membership:
KEWOTA’s Membership Management Department reports a surge in the number of teachers seeking to join the association, largely driven by the unique and invaluable benefits that KEWOTA offers.
KEWOTA’s commitment to supporting teachers through Kenya’s educational transformation is a testament to its dedication to female educators and the growth of Kenya’s education sector as a whole. This is a demonstration of KEWOTA’s ceaseless pursuit of innovative solutions for the betterment of its members and the nation’s educational landscape.
Below is a pictorial summary of this week’s activities: more updates to follow as events unfold.
