Junior schools suffer 42,117 tutor shortage
There is a staffing shortage of 42,117 in junior schools owing to transition of the second class to this level this year, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has said.
TSC Secretary Nancy Macharia yesterday said that the number of teachers required this year in Junior School is 99,045 against the current number of 56,928.
“It is heartening to know, however, that the Government is progressively funding the TSC for the recruitment of additional teachers until optimal levels are achieved. In the next financial year, TSC has requested for funds for an additional 20,000 teachers,” said Macharia during the release of 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam.
She said the Commission will continue reviewing its systems and staffing levels at both primary and post-primary levels to ensure that teachers are equitably distributed in institutions across the country.
She stated that the implementation of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in primary and Junior Schools has shaken up the staffing levels.
As a result, the number of classes in the primary school level has reduced by two classes, Standard 7 and 8.
She said the teacher requirement for primary schools has reduced significantly leading to an excess of 18,194 staff, adding that the Commission will redistribute these teachers to schools to ensure all institutions have balanced and lower teacher: learner ratio.
At the same time, Macharia said the Commission is in the process of promoting 36,505 teachers to different grades - from C2 grades to D5 grades - this financial year.
Of these vacancies, 17,914 will be filled at primary level while 18,591 will be absorbed in post-primary schools.
Interviews for the primary school teachers were conducted in December while those for post-primary teachers are ongoing and will be concluded this month.
“I urge all those teachers that have been shortlisted for the interviews to ensure they attend and get interviewed at respective Sub-County level across the country. The Commission promises to conduct an efficient and fair exercise that will ensure meritocracy in the promotions,” Macharia assured.
The TSC Secretary also said a number of vacant positions at the level of Principals have arisen this year as a result of teacher exits due to natural attrition, establishment of new schools or other personal reasons including medical grounds.
As a result, the Commission has moved to fill 198 vacant positions in various schools in the country this year to ensure normal running of institutions.
“I wish to urge affected principals to settle down quickly and ensure a smooth take-off of normal school programmes this month, including the admission exercise of Form One students that is scheduled to start on February 15,” said Macharia.
Macharia lauded the 70,895 teachers who were contracted either as invigilators, supervisors and centre managers as well as 29,876 teachers who were engaged as examiners in 40 centres to mark the 2023 KCSE Examination.
“Their efficient work and rigour are the reason we are here. I must state that more than 99 per cent of the teachers carried out their duties with absolute professionalism and diligence and, as a Commission, we celebrate them,” she said.
Macharia, however, said that the commission will consider appropriate action on any of the small number of teachers who are found to have deviated from the norm.
