This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
Published on July 18, 2019, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced plans to address the existing teacher shortage in primary and secondary schools by recruiting 5,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms this financial year.
According to TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, the Commission will also recruit intern teachers at a cost of Sh1.2 billion to help alleviate the shortage.
Ms Macharia expressed hope that the government's intervention would go a long way in addressing the teachers' shortage as the country continues to implement the competency-based curriculum (CBC).
Earlier in June, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich allocated TSC Sh3.2 billion for the recruitment of teachers, highlighting the education sector's continued priority in government spending.
With over 317,000 teachers currently in service, Ms Macharia noted that the existing teacher-to-student ratio is unsustainable, with the Commission estimating an annual demand of 12,626 teachers.
According to TSC's 2019-2023 Strategic Plan, the Commission requires Sh82 billion to recruit teachers over the next five years, with a projected annual demand of Sh16.4 billion for the next four years and Sh8.1 billion in the fifth year.
