Tag Archives: TSC

TSC announces urgent need for 25,839 Senior School teachers

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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has reported a pressing need for 25,839 educators to mitigate the staffing deficit in senior schools in anticipation of the Grade 10 implementation scheduled for the upcoming year.

During a parliamentary session, TSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia provided a sobering assessment of the challenges confronting the inaugural cohorts of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). She indicated that the overall teacher shortfall in both junior and senior secondary schools currently amounts to 98,261.

Dr. Macharia made these statements on April 8 while addressing the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee regarding inquiries related to teacher recruitment, promotions, and deployment nationwide.

She emphasized that the Commission requires a total of 72,422 teachers to adequately address the shortages in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). In total, the TSC necessitates 149,350 teachers to effectively implement the CBC across Grades 7, 8, and 9. However, the Commission has been allocated a budget for the recruitment of an additional 36,000 teachers this year, with 18,000 positions designated for permanent and pensionable contracts and the remaining 18,000 for internship roles. These new hires are intended specifically to fill the staffing gaps in both junior and senior schools.

Currently, the TSC has employed 76,928 teachers in junior secondary, which constitutes 51.5% of the required workforce. This figure includes 39,550 junior secondary teachers who were initially recruited on internship contracts but were confirmed in permanent positions as of January 2025, alongside 8,378 P1 teachers assigned to JSS in 2023 and 2024, and 9,000 JSS teachers hired on permanent and pensionable terms. Additionally, the TSC recruited 20,000 JSS teachers in January on a one-year internship basis following the allocation of 4.8 billion shillings.

Since April 2019, the TSC has retrained a total of 229,292 teachers in the CBC and Competency-Based Assessment (CBA). Specifically, 60,642 JSS teachers have undergone retraining from May 2023 to November 2024.

The Commission is facing significant pressure to avert an impending teacher crisis in JSS, as the current teacher-to-class ratio stands at 1:1. Furthermore, the TSC is planning to retrain 7,000 secondary school principals in preparation for the Grade 10 rollout.

TSC to be reformed on Teacher Promotions and Recruitment

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Junet Calls for Immediate Reforms at TSC

Junet has articulated criticism directed at the leadership of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), highlighting concerns related to suspended teacher promotions and the lack of new teacher recruitment.

During a fundraising event for the establishment of a Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) office in Migori, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, who also serves as the National Assembly Minority Leader, emphasized the increasing discontent among Kenyan educators. He asserted that the prevailing conditions have resulted in many teachers feeling demoralized and neglected.

Junet announced his intention to present this matter to the National Assembly upon its reconvening on Tuesday, with the objective of inciting dialogue and action regarding reforms within the commission.

The event was attended by various leaders, including Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, and Suna West MP Peter Masara.

TSC tells Teachers Training Colleges to stop training Primary Schools’ Teachers

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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has advised the Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) to refrain from producing primary school teachers due to an absence of available teaching positions.

This information was presented by TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia during her attendance at the National Assembly Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee meeting yesterday.

The issue of unemployed trained teachers was prominently raised when Karemba Muchangi, who is leading the committee, queried why numerous graduates remain jobless despite a substantial shortage of teachers in various counties.

Macharia stated that the Commission has recommended that colleges halt their admissions, as there is a surplus of primary school teachers on the payroll and within the job market.

“Following curriculum changes that resulted in the elimination of Standards 6, 7, and 8, we found ourselves with an excess of teachers in certain primary schools. We have discouraged the training of additional primary teachers; nevertheless, colleges continue to do so,” Macharia elucidated.

It is unlikely that colleges will adhere to this recommendation, as compliance would jeopardize their existence since trainee primary school teachers form the backbone of their enrollment.

Macharia had previously indicated that the Commission possesses an excess of 18,072 primary school teachers.

This surplus of teachers arose from the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which removed two class levels (Class 7 and 8).

However, TSC has commenced the process of redeploying surplus primary school teachers to junior secondary and special schools.

She articulated that this action will assist in alleviating shortages within both junior secondary and special schools and units.

Macharia noted that Special Needs Schools nationwide are facing a deficit of 5,362 teachers.

Regarding junior secondary, she specified that the Commission requires 72,422 teachers to address the staffing shortfall.

She further indicated that both junior and senior secondary levels, which are set to begin in January 2026, necessitate an additional 98,261 teachers to effectively implement CBC.

A considerable number of primary school teachers holding Primary Teacher Education (PTE) certificates, as well as others with a Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE), are still awaiting employment from TSC.

Some PTE teachers have returned to college to upgrade their qualifications to UDPTE to meet CBC requirements and enhance their employment prospects.

Frustrated P1 teachers have committed to protesting at the TSC Upper Hill offices to demand their employment.

It is a disheartening situation as some PTE teachers graduated in 2012, yet they have not secured employment from TSC.

TSC has redirected its focus on teacher employment towards junior and senior secondary schools. Currently, TSC is prioritizing the hiring of secondary school teachers who possess either a Diploma or Degree.

In the past two years, there has been no extensive recruitment of primary school teachers, with hiring taking place only on a replacement basis.

The recent backdoor replacements of teachers by TSC have further intensified the frustrations experienced by teachers.

However, Macharia has refuted these allegations and distanced the Commission from employment letters that were supposedly issued by politicians.

The Commission’s CEO faced accusations yesterday of abdicating her responsibility for teacher appointments to politicians through the improper issuance of employment letters to them for distribution.

Macharia contended that the allegations were untrue and that she had simply encountered them in the “papers. ”
“…I encountered this article in the newspapers. Should you visit our website, you will find information regarding our hiring process. Nonetheless, I am concerned as these incidents are detrimental to TSC’s reputation,” she articulated.

The issue was brought to attention by Matungu MP Oscar Nabulindo, who questioned the rationale behind cabinet secretaries distributing employment letters during political events.

Chairperson Karemba advocated for a rectification of this situation.

“I believe that we are establishing a very unfavorable precedent if the recruitment of teachers is dependent on the political elite. It is our duty to bring this matter to an end,” he asserted.
‘Sufficient’ TSC instructs TTCs to halt the training of primary educators.

Urgent Reforms Needed at TSC- Legislator Says

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We need urgent reforms at TSC, Junet says

Junet criticized the TSC leadership, citing concerns over stalled teacher promotions and a lack of new teacher recruitment.

Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed, has called for immediate reforms within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), highlighting widespread frustration among Kenyan teachers.

Speaking during a fund drive to support the construction of a Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) branch office in Migori, the National Assembly Minority leader criticized the TSC leadership, citing concerns over stalled teacher promotions and a lack of new teacher recruitment.

He emphasized that the current situation has left many teachers demoralized and neglected.

He announced his intention to table the matter before the National Assembly when it resumes on Tuesday next week, with the aim of initiating debate and action on reforms within the commission.

The event was attended by Migori Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Suna West MP Peter Masara, and other leaders.

TSC says no action taken against Butere Girls Principal, warns schools on contracting non teachers in cocurricular activities

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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has refuted claims regarding the transfer of the Principal of Butere Girls High School, amidst escalating controversy surrounding the school’s drama production, Echoes of War.

Wilson Koros, the TSC Director for Kakamega County, communicated via telephone with The Standard, stating that he had encountered the circulating rumors online but clarified that no such transfer had occurred.

“There has been no official communication regarding the transfer of the Butere Girls principal. I have also observed the reports online, but they are inaccurate,” Koros asserted.

He further elaborated, “I am currently attending a training session in Naivasha with my regional director, and I have not authorized any such claims. There is nothing even remotely related to that.”

This development follows a strong condemnation from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who criticized the school’s administration for violating national regulations by permitting a non-educator to direct the play.

In a press statement released on Thursday, Ogamba indicated that the school’s decision to appoint former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala as the director of the play contravened Section 9.0 Note C of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF) guidelines. This section specifies that only TSC-registered teachers or qualified lecturers from recognized post-secondary institutions are permitted to train or direct student performances.

“We cannot permit individuals to manipulate schoolchildren against authority. Political conflicts should be resolved by politicians outside educational settings,” Ogamba remarked.

He further cautioned school principals against circumventing TSC regulations in co-curricular activities, emphasizing that such actions undermine professionalism and expose students to inappropriate influences.

Ogamba also referenced a potential violation of Regulation (x) of the drama and film festival rules, which prohibits hate speech or derogatory content directed at individuals, communities, or genders, whether performed on stage or disseminated online. He criticized the Butere Girls administration for failing to comply with the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics (2015), which mandates clear professional boundaries and the safeguarding of students from unauthorized individuals.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Ogamba reiterated the Ministry of Education’s commitment to fostering student talent through co-curricular programs while underscoring the necessity for strict adherence to established guidelines. The play Echoes of War, directed by Malala, has become the focal point of a national debate following its reinstatement in the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.

Meanwhile, the Commission has warned schools against engaging non teachers in cocurricular activities.

“Persons not registered as teachers (including whose names have been removed from the register of teachers) should not be incorporated in the school programmes (including co-curricular activities) to teach, handle, manage, coach, supervise and or assist in the teaching,handling, managing, coaching, supervision of pupils/learners. Cleophas Malalah holds no official authorization to engage with or represent students in any capacity” says TSC Boss Dr. Nancy Macharia.