Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headed by CEO Nancy Macharia has unveiled a new training manual for all teachers across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, March 25, the commission urged all teachers to acquaintance themselves with the new manual dubbed Remote Learning Methodologies Training Manual.
The manual seeks to equip the tutors with skills to manoeuver the education industry in the digital age and ensure students, including those from remote areas, receive an education.
“The Teachers Service Commission has developed a Manual for Remote Learning as an alternative to the delivery of curriculum.
“The manual is meant to support teachers continue teaching their learners even when they are in different locations using different modes such as the radio, television, video conferencing, computers among other emerging technologies,” stated Macharia.
The Teachers’ Manual for Remote Learning is carefully designed to provide technological knowledge and skills to all teachers at the basic level of education. It is organized in eight sessions which explain the concept of remote learning.
Subsequent sessions delve into discussions on the access, delivery modes, pedagogies, assessments, and monitoring in remote learning.
The manual has also designated a session on assistive technology in remote learning for learners living with special needs. Efforts have also been made to show how remote learning is anchored on both national and international policy frameworks, and the specific roles of different stakeholders.
In the manual, the tutors are challenged to use technology in learning with such communication apps as Whatsapp and Email among easily accessible.
“Types of audio-based learning aids include: audiotapes, Compact Disks (CDs), flash disks, voice records and radio station channels dedicated to education. Audio outputs can be shared through email, WhatsApp or Bluetooth among others,” advises the manual in part.
A statement from TSC indicated that the manual was developed after over 95% of teachers failed to adapt to online learning after schools were closed following the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
“To increase a teacher’s capacity in continually engaging learners within and without the classroom walls requires that they be trained in ‘remote learning methodologies,’” added the statement.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 1.2 million primary-school-age children in Kenya do not attend school.
The hardest to reach include children with disabilities, children living in pastoral and nomadic communities and in urban informal settlements.
The manual can be found on TSC website.
