Plans to hold 2020 Kenya Music Festivals regional workshop for teachers thwarted as TSC- Education Ministry clash

The fate of this year’s Nyanza Region Kenya Music Festivals regional workshop remains unknown after the Ministry of Education and local Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Officials sent conflicting directives. Teachers were expected to assemble at Kisii school on Tuesday ahead of the official opening of the training on Wednesday.

According to an invitation letter sent by the Nyanza Region Director of Education Richard Chepkawai, reporting and registration was to be on March 3, 2020. Training of the Music trainers would then be executed between March 4 and 6, 2020.

TSC-MOE CLASH

“Training shall be in the following (areas): Music, Dance and Elocution. There shall be a participation fee of KShs. 2,500 per ‘participant,” says Chepkawai in the circular dated February 26, 2020.

Then came a warning note to the Principals. “Please note that the Commission (TSC) has not given clearance for the Regional music workshop at Kisii School. Do not release teachers for the workshop until clearance is given from TSC headquarters,” read the message sent to one of the Principals.

This would then send teachers into confusion mode. “I have been released from school already. In fact I have booked into a hotel in Kisii and paid for three days. Stopping the meeting at this stage will mean that I do not the refund of the accommodation fees. Again, my Principal will be unwilling to release me at a later date for the same training; in case it is rescheduled,” said a worried teacher who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

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OFFICIALS INSIST ‘TRAINING IS ON’

But, Music officials who had reported to Kisii school on Tuesday insisted the meeting was on as planned. But the Music trainers (teachers) urged the officials to make official communication to the Principals to release teachers.

These supremacy wars between TSC and Ministry officials seem to be weighing-in heavily on the harmonious execution of Co-curricular activities. It should be noted that the activities are run by the Ministry of Education but teachers who perform various roles (as coaches, officials and referees) in making the activities successful are under TSC.

As at the time of going to press it was not clear whether the Kisii Seminar will go on as planned or the officials would consider postponing it; to a later date and preferably over the Weekend.

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