The Centre Director for the Character Education Programme, Peter King’ori, facilitated the training for Master Trainers and Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) on Teacher Induction, Mentorship and Coaching (TIMEC) at a workshop that was organized by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The workshop participants included leaders who are in-charge of teachers’ management at the Regional, County, Sub-County and Zonal level from the 47 Counties. The training was held at the Kenya School of Government-Embu Campus from June 12-17, 2023.
TSC is committed to institutionalize the Teacher Induction, Mentorship and Coaching Policy in order to enhance teachers professional conduct and performance in the teaching service. This includes retention of teachers within the teaching service; reduce the number of teachers who are involved with cases of professional misconduct; and establishing a life-long learning culture that is attractive to teachers who desire opportunities for career growth in the teaching profession.
Throughout the workshop, the participants were engaged in critical reflections and interactive dialogue in order to deepen their understanding and application of Teacher Induction, Mentorship and Coaching in the teaching service at this time of global transition.
The discussions were spurred by questions such as: How can institutions of learning develop a flourishing community of all staff in an era of globalization, social dynamics and technological changes? How do we educate and raise moral citizens for the 21st century? How does one cultivate leadership in others? How are the virtues manifested in your words and actions? How important is emotional intelligence in our personal and work environment? What are the causes of inter and intrapersonal conflicts in the work place? How can Induction, Mentorship and Coaching contribute to flourishing of teachers within the teaching service?
Evidently, teachers require support systems to manage the challenges associated with the changes due to their effect on people’s conduct and professionalism. To act morally, a professional teacher needs to develop moral sensitivity, moral judgment, moral motivation and consistently model ethical actions. The TIMEC programme uses a preventive approach to promote positive discipline as it mainly targets to empower the newly recruited teachers, newly appointed institutional administrators/ heads of institutions, teachers with identified performance gaps and those with professional misconduct.
The institutionalization of TIMEC is structured in a manner that mentors and coaches are recruited within the teaching profession. They are required to provide coaching and mentorship to the mentees even at the institution level and as well develop community of practice. Each school is required to establish a mentorship and coaching committee with the head of institution as the supervisor. The committee should meet regularly to review school level implementation of TIMEC and to ensure sustainability of the programme. You can read more about the TSC Induction, Mentorship and Coaching Policy here