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UNESCO and Kenya’s Teachers’ Service Commission Provide Mental Health Training to Educators
UNESCO, in collaboration with the , successfully conducted a five-day residential training workshop, focusing on two critical areas: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Implementation and Assessment. Held in Nairobi at the from 16 to 20 September 2024, the workshop aimed to equip newly recruited TSC staff with essential skills to address mental health issues, build supportive school environments, and confidently implement and assess the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The workshop began with opening remarks from M. Lamine Sow, Head of Education at UNESCO's Regional Office for Eastern Africa and Prof. Charles Ongondo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development (KICD).
Sow highlighted the crucial role of teacher well-being in the overall success of education systems, stressing that teachers not only deliver academic instruction but also play a key role in fostering students' health and well-being.
When teachers are equipped to manage their own mental health and support their students, it leads to better learning outcomes and a more positive educational experience for all.
During the training, TSC's eight Regional Directors of Education (RDE) and forty-seven County Directors of Curriculum (CDE) learned how to provide effective support for teachers facing mental health challenges. The focus was on creating inclusive and supportive school environments that prioritize teacher well-being, helping prevent burnout and other psychosocial issues.
The training emphasized practical tools and strategies to recognize and address mental health concerns in schools, aiming to enhance both teacher performance and student outcomes.
In alignment with Kenya’s educational reforms under , the training also focused on the effective implementation and assessment of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). TSC staff were introduced to key methodologies, tools, and strategies for delivering the CBC, ensuring schools are prepared to address the challenges associated with the new curriculum. Participants shared innovative practices for CBC implementation and explored assessment techniques to monitor student progress.
This workshop is part of the "Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future" (O3) programme, funded by and UNESCO’s Regional Office for Eastern Africa; and it was facilitated by experts from alongside national trainers from KICD, and in partnership with the Using participatory learning methods, the training fostered collaboration among TSC staff, who shared their experiences and developed practical solutions for implementing MHPSS and CBC in Kenyan schools.
By the end of the workshop, TSC staff produced an action plan to guide the implementation of MHPSS and CBC strategies in schools. This plan aims to enhance teacher well-being and improve the delivery and assessment of the CBC, contributing to the long-term success of Kenya's educational reforms.
