EACH SCHOOL TO PRODUCE ONE TEACHER FOR OCS TRAINING

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued a circular to schools regarding the training of OCS teachers responsible for providing career assistance nationwide.

The TSC’s central office has instructed all County Directors of Education through a memo, requesting them to guide school principals on establishing the new Office of Career Services (OCS) within their schools following the training.

Furthermore, the TSC has mandated that each school must plan and designate one teacher to supervise the Office of Career Services after completing the training.

The commission has also mandated teacher OCS candidates to attend mandatory training sessions conducted by the TSC in their respective counties.

A section of the TSC memo concerning OCS training highlights that the State Department for Labour and Skills Development has been granted authority to oversee skills development across various sectors.

It is also responsible for creating and managing the institutional framework for linking industry skills development and training in accordance with Executive Order No. 1 of 2021.

In alignment with this, the Department is dedicated to promoting career guidance to reduce skills mismatches, enhance school-to-work transitions, ensure employability, and foster labor mobility.

It aims to reintegrate marginalized and at-risk groups into the education and labor market services in the country.

Consequently, the Department has devised the National Policy Framework along with the establishment of Offices of Career Services.

Lastly, the Office of Career Services (OCS) has been implemented in numerous universities, most national polytechnics, and technical vocational centers, and it is now extending to primary and secondary levels.

The memo directed to county education officers outlines the following responsibilities:

1. Ensure that all institutions within their jurisdiction establish an Office of Career Service and appoint a teacher to coordinate OCS activities.

2. Facilitate the proper teaching of Community Service Learning (CSL) as per the approved curriculum.

3. Ensure that the memo reaches all institution administrators, and provide feedback to the County Director’s office by the close of business on September 10, 2023.