Are you preparing for a TSC promotion interview? This blog post outlines some of the commonly asked questions and their corresponding answers to help you succeed. Let’s dive right in:
- What is the structure of the Ministry of Education?
The Ministry of Education is led by the Cabinet Secretary. Under them are three Principal Secretaries and finally the Director General.
- What is the overall role of the Minister for Education?
The roles include:
Formulating policy direction and managing professional functions related to education.
Developing and implementing projects and programs.
Developing curriculum.
Initiating training programs.
Administering examinations.
Providing grant-in-aid to schools.
Managing audit reports.
Admitting and transferring students.
Handling student discipline.
- Who publishes for the Ministry of Education?
The Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB).
- What is the role of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Inspectorate, and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)?
Mandates of KICD:
Advising the government on curriculum matters.
Evaluating and approving local and foreign curricula.
Implementing curriculum policies for basic and tertiary education.
Conducting research to inform curriculum policies.
Collecting, cataloguing, and disseminating curriculum information.
Publishing and distributing curriculum materials.
Collaborating with institutions for teacher development.
Promoting equitable access to quality curricula.
Providing consultancy services in education.
Mandates of KNEC:
Developing and administering national examinations.
Registering candidates and processing results.
Issuing certificates and diplomas.
Replacing lost or damaged certificates.
Conducting educational assessments and research.
- What are the national goals of education?
Fostering nationalism, patriotism, and unity.
Promoting social, economic, technological, and industrial development.
Supporting individual development and self-fulfillment.
Promoting social equality and responsibility.
Upholding sound moral and religious values.
Encouraging international consciousness and positive attitudes towards other nations.
Promoting health awareness and environmental care.
- What is the composition of the Board of Management (B.O.M) of a school, and how are they chosen?
B.O.M is established under Section 55 of the Basic Education Act 2013 and comprises:
The head of the school as the secretary.
Six persons elected to represent parents or the local community.
One person nominated by the county board.
One teaching staff representative.
Three school sponsor representatives.
One representative for special interest groups.
One representative for persons with special needs.
One ex-officio student council representative.
- Differentiate between the roles of the B.O.M. and the Parent Association (P.A).
B.O.M Roles:
Overseeing school management.
Monitoring curriculum delivery.
Promoting extracurricular activities.
Ensuring teacher competence.
Developing institutional policies.
Mobilizing resources for school development.
Supervising quality curriculum implementation and examinations.
P.A Roles:
Raising funds for school activities.
Acting as a liaison between the school and the community.
Providing feedback to improve academics and discipline.
Supporting headteachers in maintaining discipline.
- Define curriculum, co-curriculum, and core curriculum.
Curriculum: All planned learning programs that facilitate formal, non-formal, and informal learning.
Co-curriculum: Voluntary programs such as sports, clubs, and school publications.
Core curriculum: Essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes every student must learn.
- Distinguish between formal, non-formal, and informal curriculum.
Formal curriculum: Organized, planned, and written processes within structured institutions.
Non-formal curriculum: Organized learning activities outside formal institutions, targeting specific populations.
Informal curriculum: Lifelong learning from everyday experiences, unplanned and unorganized.
- Outline the process of curriculum development.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) uses a nine-stage model:
Needs assessment.
Conceptualization and policy formulation.
Curriculum design.
Development of syllabuses.
Creation of curriculum support materials.
Training curriculum implementers.
Piloting or phasing.
National implementation.
Monitoring and evaluation.
- What is the difference between curriculum and syllabus?
Curriculum: Encompasses all planned learning programs for formal, non-formal, and informal learning.
Syllabus: A detailed course outline for a specific subject, listing topics and objectives within a timeframe.
- Give cases of interdiction where a teacher earns half salary.
Fraudulent or excessive payment for goods and services.
Failure to comply with procurement laws or guidelines.
Mismanagement of funds or unplanned expenditures.
Offenses involving dishonesty related to public revenue.
- Name the different types of leave a teacher is entitled to.
Maternity leave: 90 calendar days.
Paternity leave: 10 days.
Study leave: With or without pay.
Annual leave: 30 days.
Sick leave: Up to 6 months (full or half pay).
Compassionate leave: Up to 15 days annually.
Special leave: Maximum 3 months for specific purposes.
Compulsory leave: 30 days pending investigations.
Leave without pay: For extended compassionate reasons.
- What are the possible outcomes of an interdiction?
Revocation of interdiction if no offense is found.
Penalties for minor offenses (e.g., written warning, suspension, surcharge).
Dismissal for severe offenses, including deregistration.
- Name four education commissions since independence and their key recommendations.
Ominde Commission (1964): Reformed colonial education and promoted national unity.
Gachathi Report (1976): Focused on Kenya’s cultural, social, and economic aspirations.
Mackay Report (1981): Introduced the 8-4-4 education system.
Kamunge Commission (1988): Advocated for cost-sharing and improved education financing.
