Government Tackles Teacher Shortage in Junior Secondary Schools

Government Tackles Teacher Shortage in Junior Secondary Schools

Government Tackles Teacher Shortage in Junior Secondary Schools. The government is taking steps to address staffing shortages in junior secondary schools by recruiting approximately 20,000 new teachers, as confirmed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Presently facing a shortage of 42,117 teachers, with only 56,928 available for the needed 99,045, schools are anticipating relief in July, coinciding with the reopening.

Furthermore, Dr. Nancy Macharia, the Chief Executive, emphasized that schools won’t hire additional teachers until they resume, despite implementing the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Grade 8 and the second JSS class. The government aims to allocate funds continuously to gradually close the staffing gap. In the next financial year, the TSC has requested funds for 20,000 new teachers.

Additionally, primary schools currently have an excess of 18,194 teachers, a surplus that the TSC plans to redistribute to schools facing understaffing, thereby maintaining the recommended 1:40 teacher-learner ratio. The introduction of Grade 8 has contributed to the shortage at the junior secondary level. Moreover, plans include promoting 36,505 teachers to upper job grades, benefitting 17,514 primary school tutors and 18,591 post-primary teachers.

However, concerns have been raised by intern teachers who handled the new grade last year. They express dissatisfaction with poor terms, working conditions, and unfulfilled promises of permanent employment. As a result, some are contemplating not resuming duty this month. The government’s efforts aim to address these challenges and enhance the education system.