The idea of Principal Teacher Award was mooted by the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) and its implementation started in 2008. In 2008, KESSHA started recognizing its principals and teachers whose achievements are outstanding. Th e award has become an important part of the association’s annual conference. It has been designed to recognize the eff orts of the head teachers who according to the assessment of the awards panels have excelled in striving to successfully implement the Ministry of Education Strategic plan 2006 – 2011.
According to KESSHA, The awarding criteria is based on the following:
• Enhancing access in provision of Secondary Education
• Provision of quality Education.
• Improving the learning environment.
• Encourage retention.
• Exhibition high levels of professionalism and efficient financial and Human Resource Management in education.
• Networking with other stakeholders in the provision and management of education
programmed.
• Proper implementation of the Ministry of Education Policies and guidelines.
• Professionalism
The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, in collaboration with KESSHA rewards outstanding principals in the Principal of the Year Award (POYA). Teachers with impressive performances are also rewarded under the Teacher of the Year (TOYA) and Innovative, ICT, Teacher of the Year( ITOYA) categories.
Winners of these awards go through a rigorous process from the sub-county, county and national levels where they present a PowerPoint report, are interviewed by a panel of professionals and also highlight their achievements both in and outside the classroom. For winning, the teachers are awarded cash prizes and trophies from their employer, TSC.
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Below are the latest guidelines for the awards:
REQUIREMENTS FOR POYA
- Must be a TSC employed principal fully paid up members of KESSHA
- Served as a principal for at least three years
- Mean score of 5.0 (C-) and above in 2018 KCSE
results - Must have submitted bocks of aconunts for the year
2018 for audit - Principals with Special Needs are encouraged to
participate
REQUIREMENTS FOR TOYA
- Must be a TSC employed teacher
- Must have taught for atleast 3 years under TSC
- Have a subject mean score of 5.0 (C-) and above in 2018 KCSE results in one of the teaching subjects.
- Teachers with special needs are encouraged to participate.
REQUIREMENTS FOR iTOYA
- Must be a TSC employed teacher
- Must have taught for atleast three years under TSC
- Should have a subject mean score of 5.0 (C-) and above in 2018 KCSE results in one of the teaching subjects.
- Teachers with special needs are encouraged to participate.
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Here are the 2019 National Winners in the three categories:
| Category | Name of Teacher | School | Responsibilities/ Positions | Achievements |
| POYA WINNER | Jane Wacheke | Stella Maris Othaya Girls’ School | Principal | Developed an innovation that uses zoom Technology to teach about 1,000 students in different schools; in real time |
| POYA FIRST RUNNERS UP | Mary Kiprop | Kapsabet Girls High | Principal | Demonstrated prudent financial management skills |
| POYA SECOND RUNNERS UP | Emelda Oyombe | Cardinal Otunga Girls’ High | Principal | Solved perrenial water shortages and posted impressive results |
| TOYA WINNER | Fredrick Shikuku Shitubi | St Mary School, Yala. | Teacher of English and Literature | A National adjudicator, trainer and facilitator with both the kenya Music Festivals and Kenya National Drama Festivals. |
| TOYA FIRST RUNNERS UP | Grace Mabuti | Dr. Aggrey High School | Teacher of Mathematics and History | Posted impressive results in Maths during the 2017 & 2018 KCSE exams |
| TOYA SECOND RUNNERS UP | Felix Kipkemboi | Jemovo Secondary | Kiswahili and History Teacher | Published four papers in internal journals |
| iTOYA WINNER | Catherine Mune | Karoti Girls’ High | Kiswahili and CRE Teacher | Training her peers in ICT intergration. |
| iTOYA FIRST RUNNERS UP | Amos Ogagah | Moi Girls High School, Vokoli | Teacher of Chemistry and Computer Studies | Initiated an Internet connectivity network programme for resource sharing. |
| iTOYA SECOND RUNNERS UP | Samuel Kigumi Mwangi | Moi Forces Academy, Nairobi | . | Author of Computer Technology and Application Book (2013) |
And below is the full list of the 2019 awards per region;
| Category | Region | Nominee’s Name | School |
| POYA | Nyanza | Edwin Namachanja | principal at Maranda High School. |
| POYA | Coast | Mutiso Mbinda | principal of Shimo La Tewa School. |
| POYA | Eastern | Lucy Kawira Mugendi | Machakos Girls High School principal |
| POYA | Nairobi | Mwangi Richard Mugo | Principal of Pumwani Secondary School |
| POYA | Western | Emelda Oyombe | Cardinal Otunga Girls High School Principal |
| POYA | North eastern | Yakub Buthul Shurie | principal of Saka Girls Secondary School |
| POYA | Rift Valley | Mary Kiprop | principal of Kapsabet Girls High School. |
| TOYA | Nyanza | ||
| iTOYA | Coast | Pascal Onani Obinga | Gadeni Secondary School, Tana River county. |
| iTOYA | Eastern | Michael Macharia | Waa Boys’ High School |
| iTOYA | Nairobi | Timothy Muthoka | , |
| iTOYA | Western | Amos Onyango Ogagah | Moi Girls High School, Vihiga county. |
| iTOYA | North eastern | Josephat Mula | Deputy Principal at Fafi Girls Secondary School. |
| TOYA | Central | Anne Kawira Gitonga | Bishop Gatimu Ng’andu Girls High School |
| TOYA | Rift Valley | Joseph Songok | St Joseph’s Girls Chepcherit |
| TOYA | Western | Felix Kipkemboi | Jemoro Secondary School, Vihiga county. |
| TOYA | Eastern | Isabella Engede | Kathiani Girls High School |
| TOYA | North eastern | bdinoor Yusuf | Sheikh Ali High School. |
| TOYA | Nyanza | Fredrick Shikuku Shitubi | St Marys School, Yala. |
| TOYA | Rift Valley | Joseph Ndung’u Mung’ara | St Maurice Boys High School |
| TOYA | Coast | Grace Mabuti | Dr. Aggrey High School in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta county. |
