TSC to Begin Deployment of 6000 Primary School Teachers to JSS in March.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to commence the verification of documents and deployment of primary school teachers to junior secondary schools (JSS) in March 2025.
Presently, the online application process is in progress, as the Commission strives to recruit P1 teachers possessing the required qualifications.
This application process, which initially began on January 13 and was scheduled to close on January 24, was extended due to a low turnout of applicants.
TSC aims to deploy 6,000 PTE teachers to fill staffing shortages in Grades 7, 8, and 9. However, a significant number of primary school teachers do not meet the stringent academic qualifications set by TSC for JSS promotion.
In response, officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) urged TSC to reconsider its rigid stance on academic requirements. They recommended that PTE teachers should instead undergo retraining to equip them for teaching learners in Grades 7 to 9.
Academic Requirements for Deployment
As part of the deployment criteria, TSC mandates that practicing P1 teachers must hold a degree in the secondary education option, attain at least a C+ grade in KCSE, and have a minimum of C+ in two teaching subjects.
The Commission has faced criticism for disregarding P1 teachers who are well-equipped to teach subjects such as Music, Art and Craft, and Physical Education, which many JSS teachers struggle with.
Many P1 teachers possess strong KCSE grades and hold diplomas or degrees, yet their qualifications do not align with TSC’s deployment criteria.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia disclosed that the Commission needs 72,422 additional teachers to bridge the existing teacher shortage in JSS.
A total of 149,350 teachers are required to effectively manage Grades 7, 8, and 9. Currently, 76,928 junior secondary teachers are employed, covering only 51.5% of the requirement.
This figure includes 39,550 JSS teachers initially recruited as interns who have now been confirmed, 8,378 P1 teachers deployed between 2023 and 2024, and 9,000 JSS teachers hired on permanent and pensionable terms.
The government allocated Ksh 4.8 billion, which TSC used to recruit 20,000 JSS teachers on an internship basis.
Since April 2019, TSC has retooled 229,292 teachers on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency-Based Assessment (CBA).
Between May 2023 and November 2024, 60,642 JSS teachers underwent retooling. The Commission is under pressure to address an impending teacher crisis in JSS, as the current teacher-to-class ratio stands at 1:1.
Past and Upcoming Deployment Exercises
Since 2019, TSC has deployed P1 teachers as a means of career progression following complaints of stagnation among those who upgraded their academic qualifications. Between 2019 and 2021, 1,000 P1 teachers were deployed annually to secondary schools.
From 2022 to 2024, 8,378 teachers were deployed to accommodate the first cohorts of the CBC in JSS.
The verification of documents and deployment of primary school teachers to JSS will commence in February, with the TSC Sub-County Director overseeing the process and issuing deployment letters.
Each teacher will receive one letter, while a second copy will be filed at the TSC headquarters.
Deployment will consider proximity to the teacher’s current station, ensuring they are placed in the same or nearby schools.
Additional factors include subject combinations, gender, and qualifications for Special Needs Education (SNE), where teachers with SNE certification will be assigned to Special JSS institutions.
Required Documents for Verification
Teachers must present the following during the verification exercise:
- Original and copy of the degree/diploma certificate
- Original and copies of academic transcripts
- Original and copy of SNE qualification (if applicable)
- Original and copy of KCSE certificate (or equivalent)
- A copy of the current payslip
- Declaration from the Head of Institution confirming that the teacher is currently serving in the school, is not under interdiction, and is not facing disciplinary action
Eligibility Criteria for Deployment
To qualify for deployment to JSS, a primary school teacher must:
- Be an active registered teacher with the Teachers Service Commission.
- Be currently employed as a primary school teacher under TSC.
- Not be under interdiction or disciplinary action.
- Hold a minimum of a Diploma in Education with at least a C+ in KCSE (or equivalent) and a C+ in two teaching subjects currently offered in the school curriculum (either under 8-4-4 or CBC), or possess two principal passes and one subsidiary pass at the “A” Level with at least 8 units in each of the two teaching subjects.
- Candidates with a minimum of a C (plain) in KCSE (or equivalent) who have completed a Diploma in Education alongside a Bachelor’s Degree in Education qualify.
- The degree certificate must be a Bachelor of Education. Those holding a Bachelor of Education (Primary Option) are not eligible for deployment.
The verification and deployment process is part of the government’s efforts to address the teacher shortage and enhance education quality in JSS.
TSC remains firm on its academic requirements but faces mounting pressure to reconsider its stance in favor of retooling teachers who may not meet the current deployment criteria.
TSC to Begin Deployment of 6000 Primary School Teachers to JSS in March.
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