Kenya bows to IMF pressure, to restructure 18 state agencies by VICTOR AMADALA
According to IMF, the government might use an additional Sh65 billion to bail out cash-strapped parastatals in the current financial year.
The folding and merger of some of the affected agencies are likely to see many civil servants pushed out of jobs
The Kenyan government has earmarked 18 state agencies for restructuring as part of IMF s condition for the $2.34 billion loans granted in April.
The National Treasury on Thursday added nine more state agencies to the initial nine slated for privatisation. The seal of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seen outside of a headquarters building in Washington, DC on April 7, 2021. - Raising taxes on wealthy firms that have done well during the pandemic is increasingly viewed as a source of revenue to finance pandemic recovery efforts, an idea pushed Wednesday by the IMF and the US. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/
THE STANDARD
EDUCATION
TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia at the release of KCSE 2020 results in Nairobi on May 10, 2021. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]
The government will launch a transparent process of biometric enrolment and validation of teachers in public schools to curb irregularities.
It will entail enlisting their fingerprints, which can then allow for forensic and intelligence-led investigations in cases where examination papers are tampered with, and where cell phones and other gadgets are used to commit examination malpractices.
The use of biometric validation will assist in vindicating innocent teachers from being blamed for offences they did not commit.
According to Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia, the teachers would screenshot examination questions using their cell phones.
THE STANDARD
Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) acting CEO Mercy Karogo. [David Njaaga, Standard]
Marking of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination scripts in some centres was temporarily stopped after examiners protested terms introduced by Kenya National Examinations Council.
The Standard established that the teachers objected to a new rule by Knec that reviewed an advance payment of about Sh20,000, often given to the teachers before they exit marking centres.
The teachers also declined another proposal by Knec to reduce the advance payment by half.
The examiners also wanted the transport reimbursement increased, saying the cost of travel went up due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions.
THE STANDARD
EDUCATION
Dorcas Odonya takes Grade Three pupils at Central Primary School in Kisumu through a physical education lesson in January last year. [Denish Ochieng , Standard]
Details have now emerged on how teachers will be trained and prepared to help children acquire the right competencies under the new education curriculum.
The Saturday Standard has established that five core learning areas have been approved under the new Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) training, a major change in delivery of the curriculum.
These are professional courses, teacher-support courses, English, Kiswahili or Kenya Sign Language for trainees who are hearing impaired, and physical and health education, according to the Curriculum Designs for Diploma in Primary Teacher Education.