TSC Interview Notes
TSC Interview Notes
INTERVIEW AREAS
The Commission has developed a new interview score sheet for promotions. The following areas are tested and a
candidate must score 50% and above in order to be deployed.
iv). Knowledge on the formation, members and functions of BOM and PA- 5 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 30 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 12 marks
II). Implementation
III). Evaluation
                                                        1
i). Membership of Kenya National Examination Council- 3 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 7marks
SUB-TOTAL: 8 marks
i). Knowledge of the three arms of Government and their interrelationship- 3 marks
ii). Legislature; Its function, role of speaker, clerk and sergeant-at-arms- 3 marks
iii). Executive; Functions, role of the Permanent Secretaries vis-à-vis Ministers- 3 marks
iv). Judiciary; Functions, Structure, Attorney General, Chief justice etc.-3 marks
                                                           2
1.What are the national goals of education?
         Cabinet Secretary,
         3 Principal Secretaries,
         Director General
         Directorates
         Professionalism
         Customer focus
         Integrity-employees to work in a manner that demonstrates honesty, high moral and ethical standards and
          commitment to work.
         Innovation-employees to strive to inject new ideas and approaches in the service delivery.
         Team spirit
The nds
                                                          3
The motor board,
Under the guidance of the Commission, the Secretary will perform the following duties:-
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) is mandated to perform the following functions:
                                                        4
       Develop, review and approve programmes, curricula and curriculum support materials that meet
        international standards for— (i) early childhood care, development and education; (ii) pre-primary
        education; (iii) primary education; (iv) secondary education; (v) adult, continuing and non-formal
        education; (vi) teacher education and training; (vii) special needs education; and (viii) technical and
        vocational education and training.
       Initiate and conduct research to inform curriculum policies, review and development.
       Collect document and catalogue information on curricula, curriculum support materials and innovations to
        create a data bank and disseminate the information to educational institutions, learners and other relevant
        organizations
       Print, publish and disseminate information relating to curricula for basic and tertiary education and training
       Collaborate with other individuals and institutions in organizing and conducting professional development
        programmes for teachers, teacher trainers, quality assurance and standards officers and other officers
        involved in education and training on curriculum programmes and materials
       Develop disseminate and transmit programmes and curriculum support materials through mass media,
        electronic learning, distance learning and any other mode of delivering education and training programmes
        and materials
       Promote equity and access to quality curricula and curriculum support materials
       Offer consultancy services in basic and tertiary education and training
       Incorporate national values, talent development and leadership values in curriculum development
       Receive, consider, develop and review curriculum proposals
       Perform such other function as may be assigned to it under the KICD Act No.4 of 2013 or any other written
        law.
14.What is the composition of the Board of Management of a school and how are they chosen?
B.O.M is established under Section 55 of The Basic Education Act 2013.It is composed of;
                                                         5
BOM-Board of management
Some of the responsibilities and roles that are expected of this board includes;
PA – Parent Association
In order to help the school realize its purpose, parents play some important roles. These include,
        Raise money to help both the running and the activities of the school.
        Explain the roles of the school to the community, this is how teachers and community members come to a
         more harmonious relationship.
        They give their points of view to the teachers concerning academic improvement and moral standards.
        Help head teachers and their staff maintain effective discipline among their students.
Curriculum – all planned learning programs that facilitate formal, non-formal and informal learning.
Co-curriculum – necessary curriculum that includes sport, clubs, student government and school publications.
Core curriculum – the body of knowledge, skills and attitudes expected to be learned by all students, generally
related to a set of subjects and learning areas that are common to all students.
Formal curriculum – the curriculum in which there are deliberately organized, planned and written processes in a
formally organized learning institution such as a school with organized structures such as classrooms.
Non formal curriculum – refers to any organized, planned and written learning activity that operates outside the
formal education system. It emphasizes practical skills and targets particular population group.
Informal or Hidden curriculum – curriculum that constitutes a lifelong process in which people learn from every
day experiences which are not necessarily planned or organized.
                                                           6
KICD has adopted a nine-stage curriculum development model as follows:
        Needs Assessment.
        Conceptualization and policy formulation.
        Curriculum designs.
        Development of syllabuses.
        Development of curriculum support materials.
        Preparation of curriculum implementers.
        Piloting/Phasing.
        National Implementation.
        Monitoring and Evaluation.
Curriculum Design is all planned learning programs that facilitate formal, non-formal and informal learning while
the syllabus is a course outline comprising a collection of topics on the same subject matter and a series of
statements of what is to be learned within a given time frame. This consists of the content and objectives of the core
subjects and optional subjects offered.
        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 offence involving dishonesty under any written law providing for maintenance or protection of public
         revenue.
21.Name the different types of leave a teacher is entitled to and how many days in a year is a permanent and
pensionable teacher entitled to annual leave?
Maternity Leave
A female teacher is entitled to 90 calendar days maternity leave from the date of confinement. This leave is
exclusive of annual leave. The application for leave should be submitted to the DEO/MEO/DCE through the head of
institution at least one month before the leave is due and must have supporting medical documents.
Paternity Leave
A male teacher can apply for paternity leave of up to15 days within the period of spouse’s maternity leave.
Annual leave
Permanent & pensionable teachers – 30 days with full pay each year.
Sick leave
Permanent & pensionable teachers– 3 months with full pay ,another 3 month ½ pay in the calendar year.
                                                          7
Temporary or contract teachers– 1 month full pay another 1 month ½ pay
Compassionate leave
In times of distress such as death, a court case, marital disharmony, arson and serious illness of a member of the
family – maximum 15 days in a year.
Special leave
Short duration for teachers who have to travel abroad to participate in seminars or short courses or important events
– max. 3 months in a year.
Compulsory leave
Special conditions eg accompanying a sick person for more than normal 15 days compassionate leave.
A teacher has committed an offence that does not warrant removal hence;
        Warning in writing.
        Surcharge
        Suspension not exceeding 6 months without pay.
        Retire in the public interest
        Refered for medical evaluation by Director of Medical Services.
        A teacher has committed an offence hence dismissal and deregistered.
Suspension – Temporary prohibition of a teacher from exercising his/her functions as a teacher pending
determination of his/her disciplinary case.
Interdiction – removal of a teacher from service in accordance with regulation 153 of the TSC Code.
24a). What are the interdiction cases where a teacher does not earn any money?
        Chronic absenteeism
        Desertion of duty
                                                           8
       Having been jailed
       Misappropriation/mismanagement of public funds.
       Fraudulent claims & receipt of funds.
       Use of false certificates.
       Forgery, impersonation, collusion & immoral behavior.
       Negligence of duty
       Lateness to duty
       Chronic absenteeism
       Desertion
       Incitement
       Insubordination
       Failure to proceed on transfer
       Teaching without teaching certificate
       Proceeding on transfer without formal release
       Proceeding for assignments not organized by the commission without formal release.
       Failure to release a teacher to proceed on a transfer.
       Failure to forward correspondence by to and from TSC
       Failure to hand and take an institution upon transfer
       Failure to submit probation report in respect of newly recruited teacher at the expiry the probation period.
       Excluding a teacher from the teaching time table without authority from TSC
       Pecuniary embarrassment like failure to honour financial obligations
d) Meaning of offences
i) Infamous conduct-Acts that undermine status accorded to the teaching profession such as
       Drunkenness
       Fighting
       Conduct or behavior which contradicts the spirit and tenor of chapter six of the constitution 2010
       Forgery-presentation of false documents to the commission/ or its agents
                                                         9
       Falsifying information
       Impersonation
       Failure to adhere to recruitment guidelines
       Any other act or conduct that is incompatible with the teaching profession
Curriculum Based Establishment – the number of teachers a school need in relation to the number of streams a
school has.
It is calculated by considering the minimum lessons a teacher should teach(27) and the subjects offered in the
school.
26..Name four education commissions since independence and what were the recommendations of the
commissions.
       Ominde commission(1964)
       It reformed the education system inherited from the colonial government to make it responsive to the needs
        of independent Kenya.
       It proposed an education system to foster national unity and create sufficient human resource for national
        development
       English became a medium of instruction
       It set the entry age to class one at 6 years.
GachathiReport(1976)
       The report focused on redefining Kenya’s educational policies and objectives, giving consideration to
        national unity, economic, social and cultural aspirations of the people of Kenya.
       It led to the removal of ‘A’ level and expansion of other post-secondary training institutions.
       It led to the establishment of Moi University.
       It recommended the stablishment of the 8-4-4 system of education and the commission of High Education
        (CHE)
Kamunge Commission(1988)
Koech Commission(2000)
It recommended Totally Integrated and Quality Education and Training(TIQET) in order to accelerate industrial and
technological development.
                                                        10
27. On which grounds can a teacher be retired
        Age
        Public interest- gross misconduct
        Medical/ill health
        Abolition of office
        Pension
        Gratuity
        Work injury benefits
31. Differenciate between informal education, formal education and non- formal education
Informal Education:– the truly lifelong process whereby every individual acquires attitudes, values, skills and
knowledge from daily experience and the educative influences and resources in his or her environment-from family
and neighbours, from work and play, from the marketplace, the library and the mass media…’
Formal Education:– the hierarchically structured, chronologically graded “educational system”, running from
primary school through the university and including, in addition to general academic studies, a variety of specialized
programmes and institutions for full-time technical and professional training.’
Non-Formal Education:– any organized educational activity outside the established formal system-whether
operating separately or as an important feature of some broader activity-that is intended to serve identifiable learning
clientele and learning.
                                                          11
(KESI)
Module I
Introduction
a) The Ministry of Education launched Free secondary Education (FSE) through its interim guidelines of January
2008. This is part of Basic Education whose component of Free Primary Education (FPE) was initiated in 2003.
Through the FSE, government subsidy to schools based on capitation was disbursed and fully operationlized in
January 2008. The allocation per student are day secondary education Kshs. 22,244 per child per year.
b) The MOE, therefore expects that sound governance and accountability mechanisms shall be enhanced for greater
participation and transparency by all institutions in public resource utilization.
The management of learning institutions shall be accountable to parents, students, the Government and donors as
appropriate for the use of the institutions resources.
     Planning
     Organising
     Directing
     Coordinating
     Control of all human and non-human resources in the institution.
(The participants to discuss the meaning of the above 5 pillars in a school situation).
        Accountability to stakeholders
        Proper resource management
        Internal decision-making
Financial management in secondary schools is expected to be prudently undertaken and involves the following:
                                                           12
      Authorization
      Execution
      Recording and reporting
     i) Planning and Budgeting
It is important that proper planning and budgeting is done by the school to ensure that the scarce resources are
utilized in the most economical way and that transparency and accountability is upheld.
ii) Authorisation
         The budget should be approved by the BOM by October of the preceding year. This should give adequate
          time for other procedures to be followed.
         Extra levies should be discussed by the BOM and then forwarded to the MOE for approval. Schools should
          not commence charging extra levies before such approval is granted.
         Virements if any should be properly authorized by the BOM, except in the tuition account(account I).
      iii)    Execution
      This is the actual implementation of the budget which involves revenue collection, procurement and
      expenditure.
(To discuss with the participants the guidelines for FSE) (Circular No. Ref. MOE/G1/9/1/44 attached)
Procurement
Principals of secondary schools should familiarize themselves with procurement regulations as stipulated in the
Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005 and the Legal Notice of September, 2006 and KESSP procurement
procedures. Due to constant reviews of the procurement thresholds/ceilings, it is advisable to maintain an updated
copy of the Public Procurement regulations
Procurements
Payments
Recording
     Reporting
       14
Activity for discussion
How does the management of an education institution demonstrate to the parents, students, the government and
other stakeholders how the institutions resources have been obtained and used?
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT II
1. Definition of planning
3. Steps in Planning
Budgeting
(i) Definition
Emphasize that a budget is one of the tools for prudent financial management in the educational institutions. It can
either be one year for a given period. It is used as instrument of expenditure control. It should be flexible (to take
care of variances).
 October to November: process including BOM approval should be complete before students go for December
vacation.
         1.       The budget summary (Framework – i.e. income and expenditure for the various voteheads).
         2.       working notes (attachments)
                                                         15
iii a)   Working notes
Total
Expenditure
Total
Vote No_____________Votehead________________
Total
By referring to the school development plan, expenditure items are identified and costed.
                                                         16
               Recurrent expenditure – BOG approval only
Note
A/C I Budget
A/C II Budget
A/C IV Budget
Approval of budget:
Extracts of the minutes (Highlight to relevant text) relating to the budget should be attached to the approved budget
and filed together. Where the budget is approved with amendments, the adjustments should be incorporated in
the budget and adopted by the BOM in the next meeting.
(vii) Creditors/Debtors
Activity
Item Unit
Traveling to
                                                            17
Division_____________________Trip x                     “
DEO’s Office_________________Trip x “
Bank_______________________Trip x “
PDE’s Office_________________Trip x “
TSC________________________Trip x “
Activity
A case study of budget preparation should be set and given to participants for practice in groups. An item per
votehead for a selected account should be used in the example. A desired enrolment level should be used e.g. 100,
200 or 300 students.
It is the responsibility of the Principal to ensure that adequate checks against fraud and irregularities are put in place
and that proper steps are taken to ensure that they are functional.
Sources of revenue:-
2.         Parental contribution of Kshs. for boarding which in the maximum their amount will vary from one school
           to another depending on BOG deliberations and the category of the school.
The day school where lunch is provided the maximum charge for lunch is Kshs. 5593
                                                            18
3.          Development Funds is Parental Obligation
            A maximum of Kshs. 2000 to be charged. They must be approved by the SCDE where the charge is more
            than Kshs. 2000, the same should be approved by P.S. One project to run at a time.
            Income generated from the activities undertaken by the school should be budgeted for receipted and
            accounted for e.g. hiring of school facilities and farm projects.
Profit and loss account should be prepared to enable the analysis of the viability of the project.
5. Donations
            All donations received by the school must be valued receipted and properly accounted for, recorded in
            relevant stores/ledger. The BOG should be informed of the same and minuted.
6.          All proceeds from the sale of school assets must be receipted and properly accounted for e.g. motor
            vehicles, furniture and equipment etc.
            All specific and unique grants given to the school for a specified purpose must be receipted e.g. KESSP,
            CDF, LATIF, computers, pockets of poverty, fire extinguishers and should be used for the intended
            purpose.
     Fees Payment – In Kind – This should be discouraged but where BOG approves it, it should be quantified and
     receipted and controlled to avoid overstocking.
Expenditure
The expenditure is classified into 3 categories based on the accounts operated by the schools ie.
     i)         Tuition A/C
     ii)        Operations A/C
     iii)       Boarding A/C
i) Tuition A/C
- Lab equipment
                                                             19
                               - Exercise books
Funds from this account will be used to finance operation as budgeted per voteheads.
For proper accountability of the school motor vehicles, the following documents should be maintained and up
dated.-
NB: The BOG rate should not exceed the GOK rate as per accounting
                      regulation from MOE. (Refer to the instructions manual for secondary schools and colleges issued
    2006 pg 36)
Imprest
    An imprest requisition form is filled. Then a payment voucher is prepared in the name of the imprest holder
    and entered in the cash book. When the imprest is surrendered a payment voucher is prepared charging the
    votes affected.
Then an official receipt is prepared for the imprest holder for the total amount of the imprest.
         At least three signatories should sign the cheques, the head of the institutions signature being mandatory
          and the two others being the chairman of the BOG and a Board member.
 The cheque stab (counter foil) should be properly updated both with deposits and withdrawals.
                                                             20
         Cheques books should be kept under lock and key
Contract Register
      This is a very important and critical register to a school since it trades expenditure on numerous
      projects/contracts that schools undertake and involve huge payments and complicated accounting records.
      Format:                Ref: page 105 of handbook of financial management instructions for secondary schools
                             colleges and polytechnics issued 2006.
      Example:               An appropriate example should be made to illustrate the technicality and importance of a
                             contract register.
FINANCE MANAGEMENT
(A) Recording
1. Cash Book
                                                          21
(B)     Posting
2. Receipt Side
3. Payment Side
The cashbook should be checked, signed and stamped regularly by the accounting officer.
5. Savings Account
(C) Reporting
6. Trial Balance
To be submitted by 15th of ensuring month to the relevant offices of the ministry of education.
                                                        22
  Example:
NB:       Incase of over expenditure, proper rules of virement should be adhered to and journal be used to correct
the same.
7. Financial Statements
This should be prepared at the end of the year and submitted by 31st January of each ensuing year.
           (ii)       Submission of books should include all the documents as detailed in the a/c accounting instruction
                      manual (Assumption each school has a copy)
           (iii)      All schedules should be attached detailing any over………..provision of grant which should be in
                      line with the enrolment list submitted to the Ministry. Other debtors and creditors should also be
                      indicated.
(iv) Queries should be conducted for confirmation and clarification of issues raised.
Activity
Sokomo to Secondary School is a Public School in the Republic of Kenya. In the current financial year, it
transacted business as follows:-
Date Transaction
                                                              23
 Jan.2008            Account (III)
Opening balances
                     Cash………………………………………10,000
                     Bank…………………………………….. 200,000
                     On 10.01.08 opened A/C I and A/C II bank accounts using A/C III cash Kshs.1000
                     each.
A/C I:
                     - A/C II
                     (18.1.08) pv No.001……….10,000 (CHQ. No.003)
                     No.002…………………………..30,000 (CHQ. No.004)
                     No.003…………………………… 5,000 (CHQ. No.005)
 25/1/2008           P.V. No. 001 paid Masai staioners Ksh.20,000.00 in respect of supply of stationery.
                     Vide cheque No.2501.
                     P.V. No.002- Paid Muka Booksellers Ksh.20,000 in respect of supply of text books
                     videcheque No.2502
It was also decided that earlier expenses incurred in A/C III on behalf of acc.I and II be refunded.
Required
1.   Pass entries into the school cash books and balance the same
2. Prepare the trial balance for Account I as at 31st March, 2008.
PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES IN
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
                                                           24
Introduction
   The biggest amount of school funds are used in the procurement of various goods and services. To ensure that
    these funds are properly utilized, procurement procedures are therefore put in place.
Definition
Procurement is the process of acquiring goods, works and services for an organization.
    The procedures of undertaking such a process are clearly articulated in the Public Procurement and Disposal
     Act 2015.
    The Head of the institution has to observe procurement procedures that ensures quality goods/works/services
     are acquired at competitive prices. This will enable the institution to have adequate resources necessary for
     effective budget implementation.
    In the budgeting stage, the requirements and respective costs are identified. Based on the magnitude of
     activities and cost, an appropriate procurement method is chosen. This gives rise to a procurement plan, which
     articulates the requirements/needs to be acquired and the various steps in the procurement process with
     respective time schedules. Whereas, the budget is approved by the BOM, the procurement plan shall be
     approved by the tender committee, a body charged with the responsibility of procurement of
     goods/works/services in an institution.
1. Enhance transparency and accountability of funds ensuring that the stakeholders get value for their money.
2. Enhances efficiency by ensuring that entities acquire quality goods/works/services at reasonable prices.
           The various procedures adopted ensure that there is fair treatment of suppliers and therefore for suppliers to
           get an order, their products must be of good quality and reasonable price.
Procurement Cycle
Means the cycle that starts with the initiation of the process of an individual procurement requirement and when the
goods/works or services have been delivered and accepted.
A. Tender Committee
For procurement to be done as required, a procuring entity needs to set up a tender committee. In case of secondary
schools, the composition is as below:-
Position Details
Deputy Chairperson The officer in charge of finance or equivalent appointed by the Principal
                                                            25
Secretary                               The officer heading the procurement unit
The quorum for the tender committee is 5 members including the chairperson.
The principal shall appoint an alternate member for each member of the tender committee and only the alternate
shall attend any meeting of the tender committee whenever the member is unable to attend.
i) Ensure that procurement and disposal is done within the regulations and the Acts.
iv) Ensure that the procuring entity does not pay in excess of the prevailing market rates
v) Review the selection of procurement method and ensure adoption of any other that is within the Act.
quotations/proposals.
vii)        Review tender documents and requests for proposals to be in line with the Procurement Act/Regulation
            2006.
viii) Approve variations of contract conditions of contracts previously awarded by the committee
ix) Approve bids through open tender for sale of the institution’s stores
The tender committee undertakes the procurement process with assistance of other sub committees.
Procurement Committee
value does not exceed Kshs. 500,000.00 using the direct procurement or request for quotations methods.
Composition
Quorum for meeting – Chairperson and at least two other members. Any member who is unable to attend meeting
may delegate to another person but such a person should possess the necessary skills/experience to represent him/
her in the meeting.
Decisions of the procurement committee shall be by consensus and where there is no consensus, the decision shall
be through voting by simple majority. Where there is a tie, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
                                                              26
The procurement committee may invite independent advisers or members of the procurement unit to explain
submissions or provide technical advice, where required the committee can:-
    Approve submission
    Reject a submission with reasons
    Approve a submission subject to minor clarifications by the procurement unit
B. Evaluation Committee
          Consists of chairperson and at least 2 members all appointed by the accounting officer or the Head of the
           procuring entity upon recommendation by the procurement unit.
          Charged with the responsibility of the technical/financial evaluation of tenders and give report to the tender
           committee. Members of this committee should not be those in tender committee – one should be from user
           department.
     (a)            The technical evaluation of the tenders or proposals received in strict adherence to the compliance
                    and evaluation criteria set out in the tender document.
     (b)            Performing the evaluation with all due diligence and within a period of 30 days after opening of
                    tenders.
           Each tender received is assigned a rating by the committee and such a report with recommendations is
           submitted to tender committee for the final decision.
         Note: The evaluation and comparison shall be done using the procedures and criteria set out in the tender
     documents and no other criteria shall be used.
              Comprised of a chairman and at least 2 members appointed by the accounting officer or the head of the
               procuring entity on recommendation of the procurement unit.
              Purpose – To inspect and review the goods/services to ensure compliance with the terms and
               specifications of the contract.
Pre-Qualification of Suppliers
              Advertisement in local dailies for bidders to know of the prequalification and declare their interest in
               participating and demonstrate their ability in a given business.
                                                            27
    Prospective bidders are given standard application forms to complete giving out the necessary data and
     return them for evaluation just like an open tender. Those who qualify are then requested to bid on
     appropriate bidding documents.
        Contractors identification
        Experience and performance
        Personnel
        Equipment
        Financial status
        Present commitments
        Personnel and equipment available for the proposed project
        Any other relevant information on the project.
Procurement Methods
Depending on size and nature of transaction involved, the entity may use any of the methods here below to
procure goods/works/services:
1)       Direct procurement
2)       Open tender
         - National competitive bidding
3)       Restricted tender
4)       Request for quotations
5)       Request for proposal
6)       Low value procurement
7)       Use specifically permitted procedures
Direct Procurement – Used where no reasonable alternative exists – dealing with only one bidder
Open tender – Advertisements made in dailies of wide circulation nationally and internationally.
Restricted Tendering – This method is available for large and complex contracts. This method is justified
in view of the cost involved in preparing tenders for complex and specialized goods, works or services and
the desirability of avoiding tenders from unqualified bidders. Most complex project contracts are often let
through this method, the bidders are first selected through pre-qualification.
Request of Quotations – It is used for readily available goods/works/services. At least 3 quotations are
received before selection process – maximum 10 out of pre-qualified suppliers.
Request for Proposals - Applicable for services of intellectual nature. At least 3 proposals maximum 7
out of those who expressed the interest.
Low Value Procurement - Applicable if use of the other methods will be time consuming and can cost
more than the cost of goods/services/works for goods whose value in budget does not exceed Kshs.
5000.00
                                                 28
             competition.
The use of the procedure has been recommended by the committee after market survey.
         Use of Specially permitted procedures – Where the market conditions or behaviour do not allow effective
         application of the Act and Regulations i.e. in use of frequent fluctuations of prices e.g. maize.
         For specialized or particular requirements that are governed by harmonized international standards or
         practices.
D. Disposal Committee
Members
         
        An officer in charge of finance
         
        The head of procurement unit who shall be secretary
         
        The head of the accounting department
         
        Two heads of departments and user department
         
        The committee shall select a chairman from among its members
         
        The disposal committee will first meet within fourteen days of its appointment and subsequently at
        least once in every quarter.
STORES MANAGEMENT
Definition
Stores management is the process of planning, organizing and coordinating all the stores activities of an institution.
Importance
5. Ensures that the right quantities and qualities are delivered to school.
1. Receiving
Receiving
                                                           29
On receipt the officer in-charge should verify the following:
The following records are essential for the recording of the inventories
               This register records all items of stores whose life does not exceed one financial year.
               This includes among others e.g. foodstuff, stationery etc.
This register contains all the items of permanent nature and whose service is not limited to one financial year
examples – Expendable: plastic buckets, textbooks
Stock Taking
This is the process in which the administration of an institution verifies the agreement between the book quantity of
stores and the physical presence of the stores. The physical presence is confirmed by physical counting of the stores
concerned.
This is a method which involves physically counting and knowing physical quantities of all types of stores at given
date. eg. months, termly or 100% count at the end of the year. When undertaking the exercise, the following should
be considered.
(a)        Adequate number of staff should be available and should receive clear and precise instruction on the
           procedure to be followed.
                                                            30
(b)       The stock taking should be done at a weekend or overnight so as not to interfere with the normal operations
          of the school.
(c) The completed stock sheet should have random independent checks to verify their correctness.
(d)       The quantities of each type of stores should be checked against the stock record to expose any gross errors
          and any discrepancies be reconciled.
This is the preferred system of stock-taking stock under this approach involves operating a system whereby a
proportion of stock is checked daily so that over an year all stock is checked at least once and high value and fast
moving items can be checked severally.
     The staff conducting the stock take should be independent of store keepers.
     The bursar, or some other appointed staff should conduct the stock take.
NB: The principal has a duty to perform random checks on any inventory item as an internal check.
Re-order
To enhance smooth running of the institution, the store keeper should be able to calculate the
1. Reorder level
2. Reorder quantity
3. Safety stock
4. Delivery period
b) The pensability/durability
c) Storage space/facilities
Centralized Stores
This is a system of store keeping whereby all items of stores are received and issued to user department from a
central location. The opposite of this is decentralized stores where the stores are received and issued from different
locations e.g. food items at the dining hall, lab chemicals at the laboratories, stationery at the secretaries office etc.
Advantages of Centralization
                                                           31
3.        Closer control
Disadvantage
4. Stores situation might not be technically advisable for special care items e.g. lab chemicals
The facility divides the participants into 10 groups. To each group a sample of S1 lodger, S2 ledger and 2 in
inventory books are provided. The facilitator takes the participants through the structure of the books explaining
such issues as:-
SAWA secondary school had the following stores transaction in the month of January 2007
 DATE                                                      TRANSACTION
 1.1.07                                                    Opening balances:
                                                           Maize    200kg @ 20 each
                                                           32
                                                    Beans 40kg @ 40 each
                                                    Casio calculators- 4- @ 2000 each
                                                    Ms computers- 2 -@ 10000 each
                                                    F3 maths books- 20- @ 40 each
                                                    F2 english – 10- @ 100 each
10.1.07                                             BOUGHT the following;
                                                    TR- microscopes- 2- @ 5000 each from A
                                                    Maize- 50 bags- @ 1600 each from B
                                                    Mercury (Red)- 10 litres- @ 2000 per litre from C
                                                    F.1 science books- 50- @ 150 each from D
                                                    Exercise books (120pg)- 2 cartons- @ 2500 each
                                                    from D
15.1.07                                             Issued the following :
                                                    Maize- 300kg- to cateress
                                                    Beans -10kg- to cateress
                                                    Calculator- 3- to MP Ndirangu (1 returned)
                                                    Mercury- 5 litres- to Musau
                                                    F.1 science books- 40- to Musau (10 returned first,
                                                    5 returned 2nd )
                                                    Exercise books- 1 carton- to students
                                                    Ms computers- 1- to Musau
                                                    33
                                                               o   Casio calculators
                                                               o   Ms computer
                                                               o   Mercury (red)
 2.2.07                                                  The school principal checked and certified the
                                                         following records as correct.
                                                               o   Casio calculator
                                                               o   Mercury (red)
You are required to record the transactions into the school’s ledger books and the relevant inventories.
NB:
                                                          34
35