Introduction
In a significant move to address the escalating teacher shortage in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced plans to deploy at least 6,000 Primary Teacher Education (PTE) teachers this year. This deployment aims to bridge the massive gap of over 72,000 teachers in JSS institutions across the country. With the transition to Grade 9 set for January 2025, the Commission is under immense pressure to ensure sufficient staffing in JSS classrooms.
This phased deployment is part of the government’s broader strategy to implement the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) efficiently. Education stakeholders, including TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos, have underscored the urgency of these measures to guarantee a smooth learning experience for students.
TSC’s Strategic Deployment Plan for JSS Teachers
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revealed that the deployment process will kick off with the activation of an online application portal for qualified primary school teachers. This portal will facilitate applications for teachers seeking deployment to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
According to TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, the Commission currently has 76,928 teachers employed in JSS, which accounts for only 51.5% of the required workforce. Out of these:
- 39,550 teachers were initially recruited on internship terms and later absorbed into permanent and pensionable roles.
- 8,378 P1 teachers have been deployed since 2019.
- 9,000 teachers were hired directly on permanent and pensionable terms.
This year’s deployment of 6,000 P1 teachers marks another critical step in addressing the existing shortfall.
Government Support and Budget Allocation for JSS Teachers
The government has allocated Ksh 4.8 billion to support the recruitment and deployment of 20,000 JSS teachers on internship terms, starting January 2025. Additionally, these intern teachers will undergo retooling sessions in preparation for their new roles.
Since the rollout of CBC in April 2019, TSC has retooled 229,292 teachers to handle CBC and CBA effectively. Between May 2023 and November 2024, a total of 60,642 teachers have been trained specifically for JSS subjects.
Eligibility Criteria for P1 Teachers Deployment to JSS
While the deployment provides an opportunity for career growth for primary school teachers, TSC has set strict eligibility criteria. These include:
- A minimum KCSE mean grade of C+.
- A C+ grade in two teaching subjects relevant to the JSS curriculum.
This ensures that only qualified teachers are entrusted with the responsibility of teaching JSS subjects, thereby maintaining high educational standards.
Deployment of Secondary School Teachers to JSS
To further address the teacher shortage, TSC has initiated plans to redeploy excess secondary school teachers to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
In a memo directed to Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors, as well as Principals of secondary schools, Dr. Nancy Macharia TSC CEO instructed the registration of secondary school teachers employed after 2015. The submission deadline for these teacher details was 18th October 2024.
This move is particularly strategic as secondary schools will not have a Form One intake from January 2025 due to the CBC transition. Therefore, redeploying idle teachers to JSS classrooms near their current stations ensures optimal utilization of available teaching staff.
The deployment will prioritize subject clusters to ensure each JSS teacher specializes in specific JSS subjects, aligning with the CBC requirements.
Infrastructure Readiness for Grade 9 Transition
With Grade 9 students set to transition in January 2025, the government has constructed 14,880 classrooms nationwide to accommodate the learners.
CS Julius Migos confirmed that:
- The government initiated the construction of 16,000 classrooms in four phases.
- The overall completion rate currently stands at 93%.
This infrastructure readiness is essential to facilitate seamless classroom transitions and ensure students learn in conducive environments.
Addressing Stagnation Among P1 Teachers
The deployment of P1 teachers to JSS also addresses long-standing complaints about career stagnation among primary school teachers. Many teachers have upgraded their academic qualifications but remained confined to primary school teaching roles.
Since 2019, the Commission has been progressively deploying qualified primary teachers to secondary and JSS levels as a form of promotion:
- 2019-2021: 1,000 teachers deployed annually.
- 2022-2024: 8,378 teachers deployed cumulatively.
This approach not only boosts teacher morale but also enhances educational outcomes at the JSS level.
TSC’s Long-Term Vision for JSS Education
TSC’s deployment strategy aligns with its long-term vision to ensure every JSS school has adequate teaching staff. However, significant challenges remain, including:
- Persistent teacher shortages.
- Unequal teacher distribution across counties.
- Slow adoption of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) methodologies.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Nancy Macharia TSC CEO remains optimistic about the Commission’s ability to overcome these hurdles through strategic planning and sustained government support.
Retooling Programs for Teachers
To prepare teachers for JSS subjects under CBC, TSC has prioritized retooling programs. These training sessions aim to:
- Equip teachers with competency-based teaching methodologies.
- Foster innovative teaching techniques aligned with JSS subjects.
- Improve teacher adaptability in handling dynamic CBC requirements.
By January 2025, an additional 20,000 intern teachers will undergo these retooling sessions.
The Role of Technology in TSC Deployment
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has embraced digital transformation to streamline the deployment process. Through the online application portal, teachers can easily submit their applications, track progress, and receive deployment updates.
This digitization reduces bureaucratic delays and enhances transparency in the recruitment and deployment process.
Conclusion
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), under the leadership of CEO Nancy Macharia, is making significant strides in addressing the teacher shortage crisis in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). The planned deployment of 6,000 P1 teachers, coupled with strategic redeployment of secondary school teachers, demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to achieving CBC objectives.
As Kenya prepares for the transition to Grade 9 in January 2025, stakeholders must collaborate to address remaining gaps and challenges. With continued government support, adequate funding, and focused leadership from TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, the future of JSS education in Kenya looks promising.
