The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has launched Kenya’s first ever live streaming of lessons programme through which teachers of top schools will teach multiple classes from various schools simultaneously.
The programme, which will run as a pilot for two months, before national rollout will target form two students initially, and focus on five subjects – Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and English.
Two principal schools – Machakos Boys High School and Alliance Girls High School will participate in the pilot and beam lessons to five satellite schools each.
With the launch of the programme, students from the linked schools will enjoy diversified teaching and learning activities streamed live onto screens in their classrooms by teachers from the principal schools.
The lessons will also be interactive, as students in the satellite schools will have an opportunity to make comments and ask questions via the video link.
The schools that will be linked with Machakos Boys High School are Isiolo Girls in Isiolo, Colin Davies Mixed Secondary in Loitokitok, Kajiado, AIC Kavalula Secondary in Kitui, Njoro Secondary in Taita Taveta and Mithingini Girls in Makueni. Alliance Girls High in Kiambu will beam lessons to Kipkuror Mixed in Bomet, Kiwandani and Bishop Baldacchino secondary schools in Kilifi, Kurongurik Secondary School in Narok and Suguta Girls Secondary in Kisii.
Speaking during the launch of the Live Streaming Programme at Alliance Girls High School on January 26, 2022, Dr Nancy Macharia, Chief Executive Officer, TSC said COVID-19 pandemic that occasioned a long closure of schools in 2020 highlighted the need for teachers to be innovative by adopting new trends in teaching.
“To support teachers in enhancing ICT and remote learning skills, the Commission has developed a manual to guide the use of technology for teaching and learning,” she said, adding that: “As a Commission, we envisage a future where blended learning will be the order of the day to ensure high quality of teaching and learning.”
Dr Macharia assured the country that the technology will not render teachers jobless, saying the industry is merely leveraging on technology to address existing gaps. She said 163,938 teachers have so far been trained on remote learning methodologies.
The launch was attended by key education stakeholders, including top leaders from KNUT, KUPPET, KESSHA and KEPSHA. Speakers at the event hailed the initiative as a game changer that will make learning competitive and offer a platform on which talents and resources can be shared.
