Over 350,000 Teachers Compete for 28,000 TSC Job Slots in January.
Table of contents
Government Recruitment Drive
In January, more than 350,000 unemployed teachers will compete for 28,000 job openings as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) initiates a new recruitment phase.
This exercise includes 20,000 intern positions in junior secondary schools to address the teacher-to-learner ratio, a measure announced by President William Ruto in October.
The remaining 8,707 roles are permanent and pensionable, intended to replace teachers who have exited the workforce through retirement, resignation, or death. Of these vacancies, 5,862 are allocated to primary schools, 21 to junior secondary schools, and 2,824 to secondary schools.
TSC Efforts to Address Teacher Shortages
The TSC has reported a significant reduction in teacher shortages within junior secondary schools.
Nancy Macharia, the TSC Chief Executive, disclosed in December that the required teaching workforce for grades 7 to 9 stands at 149,350. So far, 76,928 teachers have been recruited, meeting 51.5% of the demand.
Follow Teachers Updates Page On Facebook
Despite these efforts, there remains a shortage of 72,422 teachers, equivalent to 48.5% of the requirement.
The deficit has strained schools, resulting in large class sizes, overburdened teachers, and a lack of specialised personnel, particularly for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Junior secondary schools are the most affected, with the CBC’s emphasis on individualised learning and subject-specific instruction necessitating smaller class sizes and specialised teaching staff.
Challenges and Expert Concerns
Education experts have cautioned that the objectives of the CBC may be compromised unless the teacher shortage is addressed.
Akello Misori, Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), welcomed the recruitment drive but emphasised the need for a structured plan.
He urged the TSC to forecast demand based on enrolment trends and curriculum changes to tackle both current and future shortages effectively.
Focus on Science Teachers
A significant gap exists in science-based subjects, as highlighted by Macharia during a session with the National Assembly Education Committee.
She noted the chronic shortage of science teachers, a problem predating the CBC. Recruitment drives for physics teachers, for instance, often fail to attract applicants.
To address this, the TSC intends to prioritise science educators among the 20,000 new recruits.
Kasipul Kabondo MP Eve Obara criticised the practice of assigning arts-trained teachers to science subjects, arguing it undermines education quality.
READ ALSO: How Teachers Can Secure Jobs in the US: Costs and Process for Teaching in the US
She pointed out that relying on textbook-based teaching by unqualified instructors is inadequate.
In response, Macharia announced plans to redistribute science teachers within counties to mitigate shortages.
Schools with a surplus of science teachers will share them with those in need, though budget constraints remain a challenge.
Call for Comprehensive Solutions
While the recruitment drive marks a step forward, experts and stakeholders continue to call for comprehensive strategies to address the teacher shortage.
The CBC’s success depends on meeting its demands for specialised, adequate, and well-distributed teaching personnel.
Follow Teachers Updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. Get in touch with our editors at hello@teachersupdates.news.
