TSC Addresses Staffing Crisis: Recruitment of 20,000 Teachers for Junior Secondary Schools

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is addressing critical staffing shortages in junior secondary schools by planning to recruit a minimum of 20,000 new teachers. Currently facing a deficit of 99,045 teachers against the existing count of 56,928, the TSC acknowledges the severity of the issue. The demand for teachers has increased with the pioneer class of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) entering Grade 8 and the start of the second Junior Secondary School (JSS) class. However, the additional teaching staff will not be deployed immediately, and recruitment is set to begin in July.

TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia emphasizes the government’s commitment to gradually bridging the staffing gap and seeks funds in the next financial year for the targeted hiring. Despite a surplus of 18,194 teachers in primary schools, the TSC plans to redistribute them to address understaffing in certain schools. The shortage of teachers in junior secondary schools, particularly Grade 8, stands at 42,117, with intern teachers expressing concerns about poor terms and conditions, leading to a threat of non-resumption of duties. Additionally, there is a lack of teaching materials. On a positive note, plans are underway to promote 36,505 teachers to higher job grades, with designated positions for both primary and post-primary teachers.