Education CS Amina Mohammed might have had good intentions in her decision to lower entry grades into teaching colleges but the Attorney General seem not moved.
According to Amina, her decision to lower entry grades to teaching colleges was based on the affirmative action law that is covered in the constitution.
After weeks of debate on the issue, AG Paul Kihara seem to have put the last nail on the coffin with the AG overruling Amina’s move to lower the grades to a mere D+
AG KIHARA Kariuki stops Education CS Amina Mohamed from lowering the entry grade to teachers training colleges; says mandate belongs to TSC. pic.twitter.com/9WpfrS7VTZ
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) November 29, 2018
The AG has indicated CS Amina does not have the mandate to lower grades as that role solely belongs to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
“The Teachers Service Commission is, by dint of the Constitution, the State organ with the constitutional power and mandate to set the minimum qualifications for persons entering the teachers service,” said the AG in a letter to TSC CEO Nancy Macharia.
In September this year, CS Amina announced that learners from marginalised regions would require grade D+ and others C- to pursue a certificate and diploma in Education.
Amina’s announcement was opposed by a section of Education stakeholders including the Teachers Service Commission that argued that lowering the minimum grade for entry into the teaching profession would affect the quality of education.
However, according to the Education CS, lowering the grade was based on the need to attain the constitutional imperatives of affirmative action, and safeguarding the right to access basic education and non-discrimination as well as protect the marginalised.
She asserted that the quality of education would not be affected by lowering the grades.
The Attorney General’s indulgence in the matter comes after TSC wrote to the State Law office seeking opinion on among other issues whether the Education CS has the mandate to set qualifications for persons entering the teaching service.