This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
Kenya's education sector is facing a crisis as 32 public Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) risk closure due to low enrolment and poor grades.
According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the TTCs have seen a 20 percent decline in expected enrolment, with some institutions struggling to attract students.
Speaking during the Kenya Teachers Colleges Principals Association (KTCPA) conference in Mombasa on August 20, 2019, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia warned principals to address the challenges or risk universities taking over teacher training.
“If our own colleges cannot perform, and they are not telling us where the problem is, so that we sort it out, what are we going to do?” Dr Macharia asked.
She also announced the transfer of excess tutors in some of the colleges, with 292 tutors set to be redeployed to other institutions until enrolment improves.
KTCPA chairman Barasa Wafula acknowledged the challenges facing the TTCs, stating that low enrolment is affecting all institutions.
“We are all set to face all the challenges facing our institutions. TTC’s are key in producing teachers who should be able to deliver on the competency-based curriculum (CBC). All the necessary interventions will be made to ensure that all the loopholes are sealed to enable us to deliver,” he said.
