The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced new allowances for teachers working in special schools to help attract and keep them in these important roles.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia announced this update while speaking to the Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee.
Macharia explained that special schools across the country are facing a significant shortage of teachers, with 5,362 positions unfilled.
To address this, the TSC will provide special allowances for teachers with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, have hearing impairments, or physical disabilities.
These new allowances are meant to recognize the unique challenges these teachers face.
In addition to these special allowances, teachers will continue to receive standard benefits like hardship and commuter allowances.
The TSC is also working to reduce the teacher shortage by hiring and placing 1,763 teachers in May, with plans to post another 3,600 teachers in September this year and in January and June next year.
Due to budget limits, the TSC is implementing a phased approach to teacher deployment in special needs schools.
They have also developed specific staffing guidelines based on the type and severity of students’ disabilities.
For instance, classes for mentally handicapped learners will have a maximum of four students, while classes for physically handicapped learners will have up to 15 students.
Macharia highlighted that these changes aim to improve the quality of education by ensuring teachers can give more attention to each special needs student.
Vice-Chairperson Liza Chelule praised the TSC’s efforts to improve teachers’ welfare in special needs schools but urged continued work to enhance their conditions.
Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana noted that poor conditions and the challenging work environment in special schools are discouraging other teachers from applying for these positions, contributing to the ongoing shortage.
Mysterious Discovery In Kware Unveils Alleged Occult Practices And Body Part Harvesting Suspicions