In a bid to address staffing shortfalls in various regions, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will be transferring 18,194 teachers from public elementary schools to areas experiencing a shortage of educators. Dr. Nancy Macharia, the Chief Executive Officer of TSC, announced this decision during the release of the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results at Moi Girls High School Eldoret.
The rationale behind this move, as stated by Dr. Macharia, is to ensure a balanced distribution of teachers nationwide. The implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in primary and Junior Secondary Schools (JSSs) has significantly impacted staffing levels, with a reduced need for teachers in primary schools due to the elimination of two classes (Standards 7 and 8) under CBC.
Dr. Macharia emphasized the TSC’s commitment to monitoring staffing levels and ensuring a fair distribution of teachers. She stated, “The Commission will redistribute all these teachers to schools to ensure that teacher-to-learner ratios are lower and balanced in all institutions.”
Additionally, Dr. Macharia highlighted the challenges in filling positions in junior secondary schools, indicating a projected shortfall of 42,117 teachers at the Grade 8 level when an additional grade is introduced in 2024. There is currently a shortage of 99,045 teachers compared to the existing supply of 56,928.
In response to these challenges, TSC has requested funds for the recruitment of an additional 20,000 teachers in the upcoming financial year. This proactive measure aims to address staffing needs and maintain appropriate teacher-to-learner ratios in schools.
It’s worth noting that the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) employed a total of 100,771 teachers for the administration of the 2023 KCSE exams. This included 29,876 teachers serving as examiners in 40 centers and 70,895 teachers fulfilling roles such as supervisors, center managers, and invigilators.