The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has outlined plans to prioritize secondary school teacher recruitment over the next five years, driven by the government's mandate for 100% primary-to-secondary school transition. The strategy includes shared tutoring arrangements and contract hiring to address staffing challenges, according to the TSC's 2019/2023 strategic framework.
"The 100% transition policy has necessitated reallocation of resources to invest more in secondary school teachers," the commission stated. "This trend may be sustained during this plan period." The shift has already led to 8,700 secondary school teacher hires in 2018 alone, four times the annual average from the previous five years.
The TSC estimates the 2019-2023 plan will require over Sh11 billion. Despite recruiting 28,843 teachers in the past five years, shortages are projected to worsen, reaching 119,419 by 2023—84,478 for secondary schools and 34,941 for primary schools. Current shortages stand at 96,345 teachers, with secondary schools expected to face the most pressure.
"The shortage stems from rapid enrollment growth due to free primary education and new school establishment," the TSC explained. Competency-based education reforms and ICT integration have further strained resources. Physics and Computer Studies teachers are particularly scarce, with many moving to the private sector, impacting curriculum delivery and student performance.
To mitigate gaps, the TSC recommends contract hiring, teacher internships, and cross-school sharing for elective subjects. School boards of management already employ 80,000 teachers outside the government payroll. However, managerial and technical staff shortages in counties hinder curriculum supervision and support services.
