The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, developed two promotional grades for heads of Primary schools. This is contained in a Career Progression Guidelines Circular of 2018. The two headship grades for primary schools are: Head Teacher (T-Scale 10) and Senior Head Teacher (T-Scale 11).The Head Teacher (T- Scale 10) is a promotional grade for institutional administrators in primary schools. The Head Teacher is the lead educator and the accounting officer in the school. He/she is responsible for the provision of leadership in implementation of the curriculum, educational policies and programs. He/she also leads in the development and implementation of the school’s strategy, work plans, budgets, and supervises the operations of the school.
On the other hand, the Senior Head teacher (T-Scale 11) is a promotional grade for institutional administrators in primary schools. The Senior Head Teacher is the lead educator and the accounting officer in the school. He/she is responsible for the provision of leadership in implementation of the curriculum, educational policies and programs. He/she also leads in the development and implementation of the school’s strategy, work plans, budgets, and supervises the operations of the school.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO HEAD TEACHER (T-SCALE 10)
According to the Career Progression Guidelines by TSC, to qualify for appointment to the grade of Head Teacher, a teacher must:-
i. have served as Deputy Head Teacher II TSC Scale 9 for a minimum period of three (3) years;
ii. be in possession of a Bachelor of Education degree in or its equivalent;
iii. have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process;
iv. have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules;
v. have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers;
vi. have a valid Teaching Certificate;
vii. meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution; and
viii. meet any other requirement the Commission may deem necessary.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO SENIOR HEAD TEACHER (T-SCALE 11)
Similarly, to qualify for appointment to the grade of Senior Head Teacher, a teacher must:-
i. have served as Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher I T-Scale 10 for a minimum period of three (3) years;
ii. be in possession of a Bachelor of Education degree in or its equivalent;
iii. have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process and/or performance contracting;
iv. have successfully undertaken the relevant (TPD) modules;
v. have a valid Teaching Certificate;
vi. have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers;
vii. meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution; and
viii. meet any other requirement the Commission may deem necessary.
Promotion to these grades will be competitive and subject to availability of vacancies
in the establishment.Since the two grades are promotional, those wishing to hold them are first subjected to interviews by TSC. The Commission shall advertise the available vacancies and applicants who shall be shortlisted would be subjected to interviews.
INTERVIEW AREAS
The Commission has developed an interview score sheet. The following areas are tested and a candidate must score 50% and above in order to be deployed.
The interview areas and maximum marks to be awarded:
A). ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITIES IN THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT
i). Achievements- 10 marks
ii). Co-curricular achievements- 8 marks
iii). Participation in Education affairs- 5 marks
iv). Knowledge on the formation, members and functions of BOG and
PTA- 5 marks
v)Role of the sponsor- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 30 marks
B). KNOWLEDGE OF EDUCATION ISSUES ESPECIALLY TRENDS IN THE POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD
i). Knowledge of all Education Commissions- 3
ii). Purpose for formation of such Commissions or working parties- 3 marks
iii). Their respective recommendations- 3 marks
iv). Adoptions/implementation- 3 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 12 marks
C). KNOWLEDGE OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
I). Curriculum Development
i). Structure of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
ii). Function of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
iii). Current trends in the curriculum- 5 marks
II). Implementation
i). Structure and function of Teachers Service Commission- 5 marks
ii). Functions and structure of MOEST – Inspection and Directorate: 4 marks
III). Evaluation
i). Membership of Kenya National Examination Council- 3 marks
ii). Relationship between TSC, MoE/MoST, KNEC and KIE- 5 marks
SUB TOTAL: 28 marks
D). LEGAL FRAME WORK IN EDUCATION
i). Teachers Service Commission- 1 mark
ii). Education Act- 1 mark
ii). Kenya National Examination Council Act- 1 mark
iii). Trade and Dispute Act- 1 mark
iv). TSC Code of Regulations for teachers- 1 mark
v). Schemes of Service for teachers- 1 mark
vi). A Manual for Heads of Secondary Schools in Kenya- 1 mark
SUB-TOTAL: 7
E). OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS
i). Kenya Institute of Education- 2 marks
ii). Jomo Kenyatta Foundation- 2 marks
iii). Kenya Literature Bureau- 2 marks
iv). Kenya Education Staff Institute- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 8
F). FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
i). Knowledge of the three arms of Government and their interrelationship- 3 marks
ii). Legislature; Its function, role of speaker, clerk and sergeant-at-arms- 3 marks
iii). Executive; Functions, role of the Permanent Secretaries vis-à-vis Ministers- 3 marks
iv). Judiciary; Functions, Structure, Attorney General, Chief justice etc.- 3 marks
SUB TOTAL 12
G). General Knowledge 3
GRAND TOTAL: 100%
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEAD TEACHER & SENIOR HEAD TEACHER TSCALE 10 & 11
The duties and responsibilities of Head Teacher and Senior Head Teacher shall be
to (as contained in the TSC Career Progression Guidelines of 2018):-
i. prepare lesson plans, lesson notes, timetables, schemes of work and maintain academic standards in the school to ensure that the syllabus is covered in time for evaluation;
ii. teach the subjects of specialization to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes to learners;
iii. evaluate learners on subjects of specialisation and prepare learners for national and other examinations;
iv. coordinate and provide guidance and counselling services to teachers, non-teaching staff and learners and instill norms and values for harmonious coexistence;
v. ensure proper discipline is maintained in the school by teachers, non-teaching staff and learners to create a conducive environment for learning;
vi. supervise the interpretation and implementation of the curriculum, by ensuring teachers prepare schemes of work, lesson plans, lesson notes and other professional documents;
vii. ensure that the necessary instructional materials are sourced, availed and utilized by teachers and learners to support curriculum implementation;
viii. be in charge of stores, requisition and proper maintenance of inventory for accountability and optimum utilization;
ix. promote harmonious relations and linkages between the school and stakeholders such as the local community, parents and private sector organisations; ensure safety and health of learners;
x. ensure security of institutional resources;
xi. introduce new ideas and programmes for improvement in teaching and learning in the subjects of specialisation;
xii. engage learners in curricular and co-curricular activities so as to identify, nurture and develop talents;
xiii. embrace teamwork through collaborative planning and teaching to ensure consistency and improvement in curriculum delivery;
xiv. serve as a role model and maintain learner discipline to create a conducive environment for learning;
xv. provide guidance and counselling services to learners so as to instil norms and values for harmonious co-existence;
xvi. participate in curriculum development process, its implementation and evaluation so as to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and achievable in schools;
xvii. interpret the curriculum in all subjects to ensure effective teaching and learning;
xviii. organize workshops/seminars/symposiums to share ideas and further knowledge in subject areas;
xix. organize remedial actions to support learners with performance gaps;
xx. ensure learners are adequately prepared, registered and presented for the National Examinations in accordance with the Kenya National Examination Council Regulations;
xxi. interpret and implement policy decisions that pertain to training, recruitment and deployment of staff in compliance with relevant laws and regulations;
xxii. ensure appraisal of staff in the school;
xxiii. promote the welfare of all staff and learners within the school for motivation, personal and professional growth;
xxiv. manage issues of succession in the school;
xxv. serve as the accounting officer of the school to ensure prudent utilisation and accounting for the financial resources in the school;
xxvi. manage the school’s physical facilities for proper maintenance and upgrading on a regular basis;
xxvii. oversee procurement of goods and services, maintain inventories to ensure availability of the necessary facilities and items;
xxviii. organize staff, Board of Management and parents meetings;
xxix. serve as secretary to the Board of Management;
xxx. facilitate access and retention of learners in the school;
xxxi. any other as may be assigned.
