TSC to Hire 20,000 Teachers In Junior Secondary school
TSC to Hire 20,000 Teachers In Junior Secondary school
TSC to Hire 20,000 Teachers In Junior Secondary school
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to initiate the recruitment of a minimum of 20,000 new teachers to address critical staffing shortages in junior secondary schools. Acknowledging the severity of the issue, TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia revealed that these schools currently face a deficit of 99,045 teachers against the existing count of 56,928.
With the pioneer class of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) entering Grade 8 and the commencement of the second Junior Secondary School (JSS) class, the demand for teachers has escalated. However, the additional teaching staff will not be deployed immediately, and schools will need to wait until July for the recruitment process to begin.
Dr. Macharia emphasized the government’s commitment to progressively bridging the staffing gap, with the TSC seeking funds in the next financial year to hire the targeted 20,000 teachers. While primary schools currently have a surplus of 18,194 teachers due to a reduction in the number of classes with the introduction of the new curriculum, the TSC plans to redistribute these surplus teachers to address understaffing in certain schools, aiming to maintain a recommended teacher-learner ratio of 1:40.
Despite this effort, the shortage of teachers in junior secondary schools, exacerbated by the addition of Grade 8, has risen to 42,117 teachers. Intern teachers, employed to handle this grade last year, have raised concerns about poor terms, working conditions, and the government’s failure to fulfill promises of permanent employment, leading to a threat of non-resumption of duties this month. Additionally, the shortage is accompanied by a lack of teaching materials.
On a positive note, plans are underway to promote 36,505 teachers to higher job grades, with 17,514 positions designated for primary school tutors and 18,591 for post-primary teachers.
On a positive note, plans are underway to promote 36,505 teachers to higher job grades, with 17,514 positions designated for primary school tutors and 18,591 for post-primary teachers.
