TSC to Fix Grade 9 Teacher Gap with P1 Teacher Redeployment

TSC to Fix Grade 9 Teacher Gap with P1 Teacher Redeployment.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced plans to deploy qualified Primary Teacher Education (PTE) teachers to junior secondary schools (JSS).

This deployment aims to support the pioneer Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort transitioning to Grade 9 in January. Below is an overview of the process, qualifications, and deployment procedures as outlined by the Commission.

Teacher Recruitment and Deployment History

• Recruitment Trends:
  • From 2019 to 2021, TSC deployed 1,000 P1 teachers annually to secondary schools.
  • Between 2022 and 2024, approximately 8,378 primary teachers were deployed to JSS to handle the CBC pioneer classes.
• Current Staffing Levels:
  • TSC hired 48,550 teachers over the last two financial years: 39,550 interns and 9,000 permanent teachers.
  • In November 2024, TSC recruited 20,000 interns to teach Grade 9.

Qualifications for Deployment

• Teachers must hold a degree in secondary education with at least a C+ grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the two teaching subjects.

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• To address the acute teacher shortage, TSC may lower academic requirements for deployment, considering P1 teachers with diplomas and degrees.

Teacher Vetting Process

TSC instructed Sub-County Directors to vet candidates thoroughly. Verification requires submission of the following:

Deployment Guidelines

Criteria for Posting

Sub-County Directors will prioritize proximity to current stations, subject combinations, gender balance, and SNE qualifications. Deployment templates provided by TSC must be followed to ensure uniformity.

Letter Issuance

• Sub-County Directors will sign deployment letters for teachers within their jurisdiction.
• County or Regional Directors will handle postings outside the Sub-County.

Teacher Grade Appointments

The deployment process includes regrading teachers based on their qualifications and existing grades. The table below outlines the new grade designations:

Teachers at Grades C3 and above holding a Bachelor’s degree will also receive deployment letters.

ALSO READ: Grade 9 Preparations Lag Behind as Schools Await Funds

Online Posting and Reporting

The entire posting and reporting process will be conducted via TSC’s online Posting, Entry/Exit Reports Module. Key requirements include:

1. County Directors must initiate posting to JSS.
2. Heads of Institutions must submit exit and entry reports online.
3. Hard copy submissions are no longer recognized.

Submission of Deployment Documents

Upon completing the exercise, County and Regional Directors will submit the following documents to the TSC Director of Staffing:

Staffing Rationalization in Primary Schools

TSC has directed all heads of institutions to update staffing positions in primary schools within 14 days of deployment. This rationalization ensures that teaching and learning remain uninterrupted.

Through its comprehensive plan, TSC aims to enhance staffing in JSS while addressing teacher shortages and improving learning outcomes for CBC learners.

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