- The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is grappling with a severe teacher shortage of over 98,000 teachers, which is projected to increase by 2026 due to the expansion of Senior Secondary Schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
- TSC CEO Nancy Macharia highlighted the urgent need for more funds to address the crisis, pointing out that budget constraints are hindering teacher recruitment and promotions.
- With over 300,000 trained unemployed teachers, the TSC’s current budget allocation is insufficient to meet the growing demand for teachers.
- Lawmakers have raised concerns about unequal teacher distribution, particularly in Kakamega and other regions facing shortages.
- Macharia also warned that failure to address the shortage could undermine the right to quality education as enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is currently facing a significant teacher shortage, with a deficit of 98,261 teachers. This shortage is expected to worsen as the country expands its Senior Secondary Schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which is set to roll out in the coming years. TSC CEO Nancy Macharia raised this alarming issue during her testimony before the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba.
Macharia emphasized the urgent need for increased funding to recruit and promote teachers, warning that budget limitations are exacerbating the situation. “We need Sh5 billion annually to promote teachers and ensure there is no stagnation in their careers,” she said. She further revealed that despite having over 300,000 trained, unemployed teachers, the TSC’s current budget allocation of only Sh1 billion can only recruit 6,000 teachers, leaving a huge gap in staffing.
Budget Constraints Impeding Teacher Recruitment
According to Macharia, the budget deficit has made it increasingly difficult for the TSC to address the growing teacher shortage, especially as new schools open and the curriculum expands under CBC. The funding shortfall has left many teachers frustrated, as there are limited opportunities for career advancement due to insufficient funds for promotions.
“We are simply unable to meet the growing demand for teachers,” Macharia added. The inability to promote teachers or hire sufficient numbers of new staff could ultimately affect the quality of education, particularly in regions with high demand and emerging educational needs.
Unequal Teacher Allocation and Employment Delays
The issue of uneven teacher distribution across the country has also been raised by lawmakers. Tongaren MP John Chikati voiced concerns about the disparity in teacher allocations, noting that regions like Kakamega continue to face significant shortages despite the increasing demand for educators. He called for more equitable deployment of teachers across the country to ensure that every child has access to qualified teachers.
Additionally, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Majjadonk expressed frustration over the delays in employing qualified teachers. He pointed out that many teachers who have been on the TSC register for years are still unemployed, while recent graduates are being hired immediately. “TSC must consider fairness in employment to uphold public trust,” Majjadonk said.
Legal Frameworks and Staffing Policies
In response to these concerns, Macharia explained that teacher staffing is guided by legal frameworks such as the Curriculum-Based Establishment (CBE) and national staffing norms. These policies determine the number and distribution of teachers based on the curriculum needs of schools. Macharia assured lawmakers that the TSC’s field officers are tasked with overseeing the redeployment of teachers to ensure fairness and adherence to these guidelines.
However, she acknowledged that challenges such as the establishment of new schools without corresponding funding for staff recruitment, the shortage of adequately trained teachers in CBC subjects, and the growing demand for teachers in hardship areas are putting additional strain on the TSC.
Macharia concluded her testimony by warning that failure to address these challenges could have severe consequences on the country’s educational system, particularly the right to quality education as guaranteed by Article 43 of the Constitution. “We are facing a potential crisis that could affect the right to quality education,” she said, urging lawmakers to allocate more funds to the education sector.
The TSC’s plea for increased funding comes at a critical time, as the country prepares to meet the demands of a growing population and an evolving curriculum. With the senior school rollout scheduled for next year, addressing the teacher shortage is crucial to ensure that every student receives quality education.
The education sector remains under immense pressure to adapt to the growing needs of a diverse and expanding student population. As the government considers its next steps, the TSC’s call for more funding highlights the importance of investing in the future of education, ensuring that all students, regardless of their location, have access to qualified and dedicated teachers.
