This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
Kenya's teacher shortage stands at 96,000, with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) proposing a radical solution to address the issue: moving the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) under the direct management of the Ministry of Education.
According to a presentation by Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) team, placing TSC under the State Department of Basic Education would reduce duplication of functions and costs.
Currently, the Ministry of Education is responsible for setting up infrastructure in schools, supplying teaching and learning materials, and developing the curriculum, which is then supervised by the State Department of Basic Education.
However, the Ministry has no direct control over teachers, with TSC being the sole authority to take action against teachers accused of misconduct.
The Knut argues that realigning TSC's directorates, departments, and sections after a merger with the State Department of Basic Education would further reduce running costs, allowing for the hiring of more teachers.
Mr. Sossion further emphasized that the current constitutional and statutory framework of TSC makes it act with impunity, serving teachers without due consultation with other players in the sector.
The team led by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji is expected to submit its report to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga in October.
