Uhuru Kick-Starts Replacement of TSC Boss Lydia Nzomo

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) speaks to Education CS George Magoha.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) speaks to Education CS George Magoha.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the selection panel for the appointment of the Teachers Service Commission Chairperson.

The names were announced in a gazette notice on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. The selection panel will be headed by Thomas Koyier who is a lecturer at Daystar University. 

Other members of the selection panel include Mary Gaturu (Ministry of Education), Charles Mutinda (Office of the Attorney General), and Njoki Kahiga (Public Service).

A signpost showing Teachers Service Commission mandated with hiring teachers in Kenya.
A signpost showing the Teachers Service Commission office. TSC is mandated with hiring teachers in Kenya
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Margaret Lilan Geno will represent the Federation of Kenya Employers, Richard Kibagendi and Hellen Hazel Misenda will represent the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and Eva Naputuni Nyoike will represent the Kenya Private Schools Association.

Professor Stanely Waudo was appointed as a prominent educationist and was nominated by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha.

"The chairperson (of the selection panel) shall convene the first meeting of the selection panel within seven days of his or her appointment. The selection panel shall, within seven days of convening, invite applications from persons who qualify for nomination and appointment as chairperson or member of the Commission by advertisement in at least two daily newspapers of national circulation," the Teachers Service Commission Act reads.

Former TSC Chairperson Lydia Nzomo's six-year term ended on November 18, 2020, having served a non-renewable term of six years.

KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion had called for speedy preparation to kick start the process of replacing the officials. 

In an exit report to mark her exit, Nzomo outlined her achievements, saying the top agenda was the need to realise transformation in the teaching service.

She noted that together with the board, they formulated an elaborate four-pronged reform agenda that became the clarion call throughout her tenure.

“The four pillars of the reform agenda were the provision of quality education to the Kenyan children, the professionalisation of the teaching service, protection of the learners and provision of quality and efficient services to all our stakeholders,” said Nzomo in the report.

Nzomo recommended that the government should prioritise the recruitment of more teachers to address understaffing currently experienced in learning institutions.

Former TSC Chairperson Lydia Nzomo
Former TSC Chairperson Lydia Nzomo speaking at a past function
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