The National Assembly has been briefed on the upgrading and absorption of Primary 1 (P1) teachers.

Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Education, Hon. Julius Melly (Tinderet) read a response to a question by Kitui West MP, Hon. Edith Nyenze, on the employment status of P1 teachers who upgraded their education with a view to being absorbed as Junior Secondary School Teachers.

In the response, TSC outlined the policy framework under which P1 teachers were directed to upgrade their courses. The Commission emphasized that the retooling program was specifically designed to equip P1 teachers with the necessary skills to effectively implement the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at the primary level.

"The course content of the upgrade in Diploma Primary Education Programme is designed specifically for primary education to improve quality teaching in primary level," stated Hon. Melly.

Members also learnt that the career pathway for JSS teachers is distinct from that of P1 teachers and that the upgrade program was specifically designed to improve quality teaching at the primary level

"The career pathway for teachers teaching at JSS is that of a secondary school teacher distinct from the P1 teacher at the primary school level. Hence, the upgrade was not intended as a pathway for P1 teachers to be absorbed into JSS roles,” he said.

The TSC also addressed concerns raised about the timeline for the issuance of certificates for the diploma courses pursued by P1 teachers.