The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has disclosed plans to hire 35,000 teachers in the next financial year. The teachers will help with the double transition in secondary schools.
Of the 35,000 teachers, according to a report in the Nation, 25,000 will be employed on permanent basis, while 12,000 will be on internship.
The commission, led by CEO Nancy Macharia, submitted a policy statement to the National Assembly's Committee indicating that their budget will range at around Ksh13.15 billion. Ksh10.75 billion will be used to recruit permanent teachers while Ksh2.4 billion will be used to hire interns.
The recruitment will be important to ensure a smooth running of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).
"The current Grade Four and Standard Six pupils will transit to Junior Secondary and Form One respectively, in 2023. This will lead to higher enrollment which will call for additional teachers," Macharia stated.
The commission indicated that there is currently a shortage of 49,750 teachers in secondary schools.
Macharia also highlighted the need to train the teachers to enable them specialise in teaching at senior secondary schools. The commission said it would need Ksh1 billion actualise it.
A total of 25,000 teachers would also be trained on School Based Teacher Support System (SBTSS) under the Secondary Education Quality Improvement (SEQIP) Project.
Meanwhile, TSC dismissed reports that it was planning mass transfer of teachers countrywide.
TSC was forced to clarify following reports that the commission was collecting field data on staffing for schools for the purpose of transfer targeting 30,000 teachers.
Macharia clarified that the commission would not consider such action owing to the challenges arising from Covid-19.
"The Commission, therefore, wishes to assure teachers that it does not plan to effect any mass transfers as alleged in a newspaper story," Macharia stated.
"Teachers must be left to continue conducting their normal teaching duties and conduct national examinations without any interference. Meanwhile, we urge the media to always report accurately” she added.
