Prepare for your TSC promotion interview with confidence with the following possible TSC interview questions.
Below are key questions and points to consider.
We have also attached a comprehensive PDF TSC interview questions and answers.
- Structure of the Ministry of Education
- Headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
- Three Principal Secretaries and a Director General.
- Dr. Belio R. Kipsang (PhD), CBS, is the Principal Secretary
- Dr. Belio Kipsang is the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education in the Ministry of Education. He was appointed on 2nd December, 2022.
- Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala is the Principal Secretary, the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education, Kenya.
- Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, PhD
- Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training
- Role of the Cabinet Secretary of Education
- Formulate policy direction.
- Manage professional functions in education.
- Develop and implement projects and programs.
- Curriculum development.
- Initiate training programs.
- Conduct examinations.
- Provide grants to schools.
- Handle audit reports.
- Manage student admissions, transfers, and discipline.
- Publisher for the Ministry of Education
- Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB).
- Roles of KICD, Inspectorate, and KNEC
- KICD: Curriculum development, evaluation, research, and collaboration.
- Inspectorate: Oversight, monitoring, curriculum delivery, and quality assurance.
- KNEC: Develop national exam questions, register candidates, process results, issue certificates, and conduct educational assessment research.
- National Goals of Education
- Foster nationalism, patriotism, and national unity.
- Address social, economic, technological, and industrial needs.
- Promote individual development, equality, moral values, and international consciousness.
- Board of Management (BOM) Composition
- Head of the school (Secretary).
- Elected representatives, nominated members, and special interest groups.
- Student council representative.
- BOM vs. Parent Association (P.A) Roles
- BOM: Oversight, curriculum monitoring, resource mobilization, and quality assurance.
- P.A: Fundraising, community liaison, feedback to teachers, and discipline support.
- Curriculum, Co-curricular, and Core Curriculum
- Curriculum: Planned learning programs.
- Co-curricular: Voluntary activities like sports and clubs.
- Core Curriculum: Common knowledge, skills, and attitudes for all students.
- Curriculum Development Process (KICD 9-Stage Model)
- Needs Assessment to Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Difference between Curriculum and Syllabus
- Curriculum: All planned learning programs.
- Syllabus: Specific topics and objectives for a subject within a time frame.
- Cases of Interdiction Resulting in Half Salary
- Fraudulent payments.
- Failure to comply with procurement laws.
- Mismanagement of funds.
- Dishonesty related offenses.
- Study Leave with Pay Eligibility
- Minimum 5 years of service.
- Pursuing postgraduate education or in areas of great need.
- Good performance record.
- Difference Between Interdiction and Suspension
- Suspension: Temporary prohibition pending disciplinary case.
- Interdiction: Removal from service according to TSC Code.
- Interdiction Cases Resulting in No Earnings
- Chronic absenteeism.
- Desertion of duty.
- Imprisonment.
- Fraud, misappropriation, or dishonesty.
- C.B.E (Curriculum Based Establishment) Calculation
- Considers minimum lessons per teacher and subjects offered.
- Education Commissions since Independence
- Ominde, Bessay, Gachathi, Mackey, Kamunge, Koech.
- Types of Education
- Informal: Lifelong learning from daily experiences.
- Formal: Structured, hierarchical education system.
- Non-formal: Organized activities outside the formal system.
- Instances Leading to Interdiction with Half Salary
- Fraudulent or excessive payment from public revenues for goods and services.
- Non-compliance with laws, procedures, and guidelines in procurement.
- Mismanagement of funds, including unplanned expenditures.
- Any offense involving dishonesty under written laws for maintaining or protecting public revenue.
- Types of Leave for Teachers and Entitlements
Maternity Leave
90 calendar days from the date of confinement.
Exclusive of annual leave.
Paternity Leave
Up to 10 days within the spouse’s maternity leave.
Study Leave
With pay or without pay.
Annual Leave
Permanent & pensionable: 30 days with full pay annually.
Temporary or contract: 30 days with full pay annually.
Sick Leave
Permanent & pensionable: 3 months full pay, followed by 3 months at half pay in a calendar year.
Temporary or contract: 1 month full pay, followed by 1 month at half pay.
Compassionate Leave
Maximum 15 days in a year during distress situations like death, court cases, marital issues, arson, or serious family illness.
Special Leave
Up to 3 months in a year for teachers traveling abroad for seminars, short courses, or important events.
Compulsory Leave
30 days with full pay for investigations into allegations.
Leave Without Pay
Special conditions, e.g., accompanying a sick person for more than the normal 15 days compassionate leave.
- Eligibility for Study Leave with Pay
Minimum of 5 years working for the commission.
UT teacher seeking postgraduate diploma or degree in education.
Teacher studying in an area of great need specified in the study leave policy.
Trained technical teacher admitted to a national polytechnic for a higher National Diploma in a subject area in demand in the teaching service.
Demonstrated good performance record.
- Possible Verdicts of Interdiction
- No offense, thus revoking interdiction.
- Offense not warranting removal, leading to:
- Warning in writing.
- Surcharge.
- Suspension not exceeding 6 months without pay.
- Retirement in the public interest.
- Referral for medical evaluation by the Director of Medical Services.
- Offense warranting dismissal and deregistration.
- Differentiation between Interdiction and Suspension
Suspension: Temporary prohibition pending disciplinary case.
Interdiction: Removal from service according to Regulation 153 of the TSC Code.
- Interdiction Cases Resulting in No Earnings
- Chronic absenteeism.
- Desertion of duty.
- Imprisonment.
- Misappropriation or mismanagement of public funds.
- Fraudulent claims and receipt of funds.
- Use of false certificates.
- Forgery, impersonation, collusion, and immoral behavior.
- C.B.E (Curriculum Based Establishment) Explanation
Curriculum Based Establishment is the number of teachers a school needs based on the number of streams.
Calculated considering the minimum lessons a teacher should teach (27) and the subjects offered.
- Additional Cases of Interdiction with Half Salary
- Fraudulent payment or excessive payment from public revenues for goods and services.
- Failure to comply with any law or applicable procedures and guidelines relating to procurement.
- Mismanagement of funds or incurring expenditures without planning.
- Any offense involving dishonesty under any written law providing for maintenance or protection of public revenue.
- Education Commissions since Independence and Recommendations
Ominde Commission (1964)
- Reformed education for independent Kenya.
- Proposed a system for national unity and sufficient human resources.
- Established English as a medium of instruction.
- Set entry age to class one at 6 years.
Bessay Report (1972)
Recommended curricular changes for local relevance.
Gachathi Report (1976)
Redefined educational policies and objectives, considering national unity and cultural aspirations.
Mackey Report (1981)
- Removal of ‘A’ levels.
- Expansion of post-secondary institutions.
- Led to the 8-4-4 system and establishment of Moi University.
Kamunge Commission (1988)
- Focused on improving education financing, quality, and relevance.
- Resulted in Sessional Paper No 6 on Education & Training.
Koech Commission (2000)
- Recommended Totally Integrated and Quality Education and Training (TIQET) for industrial and technological development.
Prepare thoroughly for the interview, be sincere, and present yourself confidently during the interview.
Dress appropriately, be aware of current affairs, and familiarize yourself with the interview areas and scoring guide.
Good luck!
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Mr. Weldon Kosgei, a dedicated educator with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya, brings years of experience and a deep love for education to his role at TSCNewsToday.co.ke. He provides insightful and timely updates on TSC policies, educational trends, and best practices, making his articles valuable resources for educators and administrators. Mr. Kosgei’s commitment to enhancing education shines through in his writing, connecting and inspiring the teaching community across Kenya.
