TSC begins deployment of teachers to Junior Schools to address shortages

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has started the process of deploying primary school teachers to junior schools as part of efforts to address teacher shortages in public institutions.

The move comes as part of the broader goal to ensure adequate staffing in junior schools under the newly implemented Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The TSC has invited applications from qualified primary school teachers to transfer to junior schools.

Teachers serving under permanent and pensionable terms in public primary schools and meeting the specified qualifications will be considered for deployment.

To qualify, applicants must hold a Diploma or Degree in Education and have a minimum grade of C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and in each of the two teaching subjects.

The commission made these requirements clear in a notice posted on its official website.

In a related development, President William Ruto pledged to address the ongoing teacher shortages in public schools, particularly in junior schools.

Just a day before the TSC's announcement, the president highlighted his administration's commitment to the education sector.

"Education is a crucial matter, that is why I have invested heavily in the sector to ensure every child accesses education, which is an equaliser. I have so far recruited 76,000 teachers since I was elected two years ago," Ruto said.

The president also emphasised his government's investment in infrastructure, which includes the construction of 14,000 new classrooms, and a student-centred funding model aimed at enhancing access to technical and vocational education as well as university education.

He further pledged to build more classrooms in areas struggling with shortages.

"Education is a crucial matter, that is why I have invested heavily in the sector to ensure every child accesses education, which is an equaliser," Ruto added.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has welcomed the TSC's move, urging teachers to apply for the available posts.

KNUT National Trustee Dan Aloo pointed out that the deployment aligns with historical teacher movements under the 8-4-4 system, where teachers were transferred between primary and secondary schools based on their expertise.

He also highlighted the growing need for more teachers under the CBC system, which focuses more on skills development than traditional knowledge-based learning.

"Those who were in primary schools and could teach music or art and craft went to secondary and vice versa because this was based on subject quality. So, in the same way, if we have teachers competent in comprehensive schools who are good in areas like ICT and sciences, they will be moving to secondary schools," Aloo said.

The TSC's deployment initiative follows efforts made by the government to recruit more teachers in recent years. Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang revealed that the TSC had recruited 20,000 teachers and converted 46,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable staff last year.

As of now, over 80,000 teachers are serving in junior schools, but the need remains high, with junior schools requiring more than 140,000 teachers.

"We already had some 10,000 teachers, so as we speak we have more than 80,000 teachers in our junior schools to take care of our children," said PS Kipsang.

He assured the public that the government will continue to recruit teachers to meet the growing demand.