Introduction
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially announced a major teacher recruitment drive set for January 2025, offering 28,000 teaching vacancies to address the ongoing staffing crisis in Kenyan schools. This initiative aims to alleviate the teacher-to-learner ratio challenge, particularly in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), while also replacing teachers who have exited the system due to retirement, resignation, or death.
The recruitment, announced by President William Ruto in October, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the CBC education system in Kenya and ensuring equitable distribution of educators across all counties. Applications will be processed through the TSC recruitment portal on the www-tsc-go-ke website, providing a transparent and efficient application process.
With over 350,000 unemployed teachers in Kenya, the competition for these roles is expected to be intense.
TSC Recruitment 2025: Job Breakdown
The 28,000 vacancies will be distributed as follows:
- 20,000 positions will be for intern teachers specifically designated for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
- 8,707 positions will be permanent and pensionable, targeting the replacement of teachers who have retired, resigned, or passed away.
According to KTN News, the vacancies are further broken down into:
- 5,862 positions for primary schools.
- 21 positions for junior secondary schools.
- 2,824 positions for secondary schools.
This structured distribution reflects the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) ongoing efforts to address staffing shortages at different educational levels.
The Growing Teacher Shortage Crisis in Kenya
Nancy Macharia, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive, highlighted the progress made so far in addressing Kenya’s teacher shortage. As of December, 76,928 teachers had been recruited for grades 7 to 9, meeting 51.5% of the required staffing levels. However, a deficit of 72,422 teachers remains, representing a 48.5% shortfall.
“Despite our best efforts, large class sizes, overburdened teachers, and a shortage of specialized personnel for the CBC curriculum remain pressing concerns,” said Nancy Macharia TSC.
The CBC education system in Kenya is particularly reliant on a robust workforce, and without adequate staffing, the quality of education risks being compromised.
The Role of 20,000 Intern Teachers in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS)
The bulk of the upcoming recruitment in January 2025 will focus on 20,000 intern teachers for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). This group will play a vital role in addressing immediate staffing shortages while ensuring students receive quality education aligned with the CBC curriculum.
However, Akello Misori, the Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), has emphasized the need for a long-term solution rather than temporary staffing measures.
“The TSC needs a clear roadmap for addressing both current and future teacher shortages. This should include forecasting demand based on enrollment trends and curriculum changes,” said Akello Misori.
His call highlights the importance of strategic planning in ensuring sustainable teacher recruitment.
Severe Shortages in Science Subjects Persist
One of the most pressing challenges remains the shortage of science teachers in Kenyan schools. According to Nancy Macharia TSC, science teaching roles have historically been difficult to fill, even before the introduction of the CBC curriculum.
“We face a serious shortage of science teachers. Even after repeated advertisements, many positions in physics and other science subjects remain vacant,” said Macharia.
Kasipul Kabondo MP Eve Obara criticized the current practice of assigning arts-trained teachers to teach science subjects, calling it a disservice to learners.
“In some schools, arts-trained teachers are teaching science by merely reading from textbooks. This cannot be effective,” she said.
To address this, TSC recruitment 2025 will prioritize the hiring of science teachers to ensure learners receive specialized instruction in critical subjects.
Redistribution of Science Teachers
In addition to recruitment, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to redistribute science teachers across counties to address disparities.
“Where one school has an excess of science teachers, we will share them with neighboring schools facing shortages. However, our biggest challenge remains budgetary constraints,” said Nancy Macharia.
While redistribution is a temporary measure, it is clear that targeted recruitment and proper incentives for science teachers will be essential for long-term success.
How to Apply for TSC Recruitment 2025
All eligible candidates are required to apply via the TSC recruitment portal on www-tsc-go-ke.
Step-by-step Application Process on TSC Online:
- Visit www-tsc-go-ke.
- Click on the TSC recruitment portal tab.
- Create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Fill out the required application form.
- Upload all necessary documents, including academic and professional certificates.
- Review your application and submit it.
- Save or print the acknowledgment receipt for reference.
Applicants are advised to ensure they meet the requirements for their chosen positions to improve their chances of selection.
Impact of Teacher Shortages on CBC Curriculum
The success of the CBC education system in Kenya hinges on having well-trained and adequately distributed teachers. The ongoing teacher shortage crisis has led to larger class sizes, overworked teachers, and inconsistent delivery of CBC curriculum objectives.
As the government pushes forward with the Competency-Based Curriculum, prioritizing teacher recruitment and retention will remain central to its success.
Government’s Commitment to Addressing Teacher Shortages
President William Ruto has reiterated his commitment to addressing teacher shortages in Kenya through increased funding and strategic recruitment drives. The 28,000 vacancies set for January 2025 reflect this commitment.
However, stakeholders like Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers KUPPET has stressed the importance of sustained budgetary allocations to ensure long-term stability in teacher recruitment and retention.
Future Plans by TSC
Nancy Macharia TSC outlined key strategies for addressing teacher shortages:
- Prioritizing the recruitment of science teachers.
- Enhancing training programs for teachers aligned with CBC curriculum needs.
- Ensuring better working conditions for intern teachers.
- Conducting regular teacher audits to identify regional staffing gaps.
Conclusion
The TSC recruitment drive in January 2025 offers a crucial opportunity to address the staffing crisis affecting Kenyan schools. With 28,000 vacancies, including 20,000 positions for intern teachers and 8,707 permanent roles, the initiative marks a significant step toward bridging the teacher shortage gap.
However, addressing systemic challenges, including the shortage of science teachers, budget constraints, and regional staffing disparities, will require long-term strategic interventions.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications via the TSC recruitment portal at www-tsc-go-ke.
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