TSC To Conduct ‘Staffing Balance’, Train More Teachers Amidst CBC Implementation

NAIROBI,Kenya, Mar, 28 – The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is advocating for increased funding that will enable it to recruit more teachers in order to address the current deficit in the education sector.

According to TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, there is a shortage of 114,581 teachers in primary and post primary institutions as a result of the increased enrollment arising from the 100 per cent transition policy and registration of new schools across the country.

“Despite the shortage the commission continues to ensure ardent utilization of existing teachers in primary and secondary schools,” said Macharia.

TSC receives an annual funding that enables them to recruit 5,000 teachers – This however is not enough with the TSC hoping treasury will approve its funding request that will eable them to hire 20,000 teachers annually.

In a bid to address the matter, TSC has embarked on a review of staffing placement to ensure no part of the country is disadvantaged in terms of, “sharing the limited teaching resources.”

“The commission will shortly be asking our field officers to do a routine exercise of assessing their sub counties to ensure that all schools have a balanced teacher to learner ration ahead of the start of the new academic year,” she said.

The exercise is expected to be concluded by May,9,2022.

Meanwhile ahead of the transition of learners from grade six to seven which is the junior secondary school under the competency based curriculum (CBC), Macharia said that teachers have already undergone training with others set to be trained next month.

A total of 229,292 teachers have received CBC training in the last three years.

“I wish to announce the TSC will train 60,000 teaches in April to prepare teachers for junior secondary school in CBC and competency based assessment with effect from the April 26,2022, immediately after completion of marking of KCSE exams,”

The training is expected to adopt a phased model that will start at the national level to the county and sub county levels.

Teachers will be trained in specific learning areas in languages, pure sciences, applied science, mathematics and technical subjects.

The training will involve special needs education teachers with tutors in private schools also expected to receive training.

Meanwhile during the announcement of the 2021 KCPE Exam results, Macharia said that teachers implicated in exam irregularities will face discplinary action.

“KNEC should tell us whether any of our teachers were involved in any irregularities.  We will not allow a few teachers to mar the good name of the teaching service,”