The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced plans to recruit 5,862 primary school teachers on permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms by January 2025. These vacancies, however, will not represent new positions but will serve as replacements for teachers who have retired, resigned, or passed away.
Speaking at the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia revealed that a total of 8,707 teachers will be recruited through replacement, including 5,862 primary school positions, 2,824 for secondary schools, and 21 for junior secondary schools.
Primary School Teacher Recruitment Challenges
Despite the vacancies, primary school teachers, especially holders of the Primary Teacher Education (PTE) certificate, continue to protest underemployment. Recent policies have prioritized junior secondary school teacher hiring due to staffing demands created by the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
- In November 2024, the TSC advertised 20,000 internship teaching positions, all allocated to junior secondary schools.
- The CBC reduced the number of primary school classes from eight to six, creating a surplus of over 18,000 primary school teachers.
Kenya currently faces a surplus of approximately 170,000 unemployed primary school teachers, sparking discontent among job seekers as staffing priorities shift to other educational levels.
TSC’s Teacher Export Initiative
To address high unemployment among Kenyan teachers, the TSC has developed a policy framework for exporting Kenyan teaching talent to foreign markets. This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour, aims to place teachers in 17 countries, including the USA, Germany, South Korea, Qatar, and China.
Key Highlights of the Teacher Export Program
- Eligibility Criteria: Teachers must hold a recognized education certificate, diploma, or degree and meet TSC registration and Chapter Six constitutional requirements. Additional qualifications, such as language proficiency and specialized training, may be required by host countries.
- Target Countries: Countries like the USA, Ireland, and Germany seek English teachers, while South Africa, China, and Japan require Kiswahili teachers. The Middle East has demand for Islamic religious education and science teachers.
- Placement Process: The TSC will establish a real-time database to match qualified teachers with international job opportunities. An orientation program will cover security, cultural sensitivity, medical arrangements, and contract terms.
- Employment Terms: Teachers hired abroad will resign from TSC positions but may reapply for local jobs upon their return. Contracts will include comprehensive details on salaries, benefits, housing, and repatriation terms.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia noted that the initiative is a response to rising international demand for Kenyan teachers, particularly in English and Kiswahili instruction. “Kenyan teachers working abroad will not only contribute to global education but also generate remittances that support their families and boost Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings,” Macharia said.
Criticism and National Job Creation Debate
While the export program offers opportunities for professional growth and economic benefits, critics argue that it reflects the government’s inability to create sufficient teaching jobs locally. Concerns over working conditions abroad, particularly in the Middle East, have also been raised.
President William Ruto’s administration has emphasized labor migration as a strategy to reduce unemployment. However, efforts to address the acute shortage of teachers in Kenya, especially in junior schools, remain a pressing challenge.
Future Prospects for Teachers in Kenya
In October 2024, the TSC received 314,117 applications for 46,000 advertised teaching positions, highlighting the demand for local job creation. The government continues to grapple with staffing gaps, particularly in junior secondary schools, which have been severely affected by the CBC rollout.
International teaching opportunities, while promising, represent a partial solution to Kenya’s teacher employment crisis. With the TSC’s policy framework set to undergo periodic reviews, stakeholders hope it will evolve to balance domestic and international employment needs effectively.
