Kenya’s Jobless Teachers: Dreams Dashed by Corruption and Delays.
Teaching, one of Kenya’s most esteemed professions, serves as the backbone of societal development and progress. Teachers play a critical role in shaping learners’ minds and characters while nurturing creativity and critical thinking—skills essential in today’s rapidly evolving world.
However, despite the pivotal role of teaching, systemic failures and corruption have left thousands of trained teachers in Kenya grappling with unemployment.
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Graduates with Shattered Hopes
Every year, countless Kenyan universities and colleges produce thousands of graduates with aspirations of joining the teaching workforce.
Unfortunately, these dreams are often deferred for years as these professionals face a frustrating cycle of joblessness.
The situation is exacerbated by inefficiencies and allegations of malpractice within the Teacher Service Commission (TSC), the body tasked with employing teachers.
One graduate from Kisii’s Nanu Teachers Training College, who completed training in 2013, has been seeking TSC employment for over a decade.
Now in their thirties, the teacher recounts spending substantial amounts on interviews, transportation, and accommodation, only to receive no positive feedback.
This individual’s colleagues, some of whom graduated as recently as two years ago, have secured TSC positions, allegedly after engaging in bribery.
Frustration and Alleged Corruption
Another teacher, who graduated in 2012 from Asumbi Teachers Training College, has applied annually for a government job since receiving their TSC number in 2013.
Despite persistent efforts, they have only received verification notices with no follow-up. The teacher notes a pattern where serving interns receive preferential treatment, leaving fresh graduates with no opportunities.
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A third teacher from a Teachers College shared similar sentiments. Despite completing training in 2016, they remain unemployed while juniors who graduated later have secured positions.
They revealed being approached by individuals demanding bribes for employment. Adhering to their ethical principles, the teacher declined, further delaying their dream of working under TSC.
Systemic Failures in Teacher Recruitment
Reports indicate that employment letters for primary school teachers are allegedly sold for KSh 350,000, while graduate teachers are charged up to KSh 500,000.
These claims highlight the corruption undermining TSC’s mandate to ensure merit-based recruitment.
Teachers argue that the independence granted to TSC has been misinterpreted by officials, leading to favoritism and diminished trust in the institution.
The root of these challenges can be traced to a violation of Kenya’s teacher training and recruitment policy.
UNESCO recommends that member states maintain a balance between teacher training and employment opportunities.
However, Kenya has allowed unchecked mass training of teachers, resulting in over 300,000 trained but unemployed educators. Meanwhile, the country faces a teacher shortage of over 116,000, a gap that continues to widen.
Career Growth and Education Standards
The delays in employment hinder teachers’ ability to build their careers.
A teacher who graduates at 25 and remains unemployed for over a decade struggles to develop the practical skills needed for effective teaching.
This stagnation not only affects individual teachers but also impacts the quality of education delivered to learners.
A Cry for Fairness and Accountability
Many teachers are calling on TSC to prioritize graduates who have been waiting the longest for employment.
They argue that the current system, which seems to favor recent graduates and interns, is deeply unfair.
Some teachers, who upgraded their qualifications as per government directives, now feel neglected as TSC focuses on junior secondary school recruitment.
Teachers’ Message to TSC and the Government
Teachers are urging TSC to adhere strictly to its code of conduct, ensuring transparent and merit-based recruitment.
They also call on the government to allocate sufficient funds to address the teacher shortage. With proper planning, the government and TSC can absorb the many unemployed teachers into the education system, ensuring that learners receive the quality education they deserve.
Rebuilding Confidence in TSC
The TSC must regain the trust of teachers and the public by addressing corruption allegations and implementing fair recruitment practices.
Overhauling its leadership and management to align with its mission and vision is crucial.
Parliament has acknowledged the number of unemployed teachers and must ensure that TSC’s policies align with the country’s needs.
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Teachers remain hopeful that reforms will create a system where employment is based on merit and experience, allowing Kenya’s education sector to thrive.
Until then, thousands of educators will continue to wait, their dreams of shaping young minds hindered by systemic challenges.
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