TSC CEO warns of looming education crisis, urges MPs to increase budget for teacher promotions

𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲,𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is staring at a growing Human Resource Crisis that could significantly undermine Kenya’s education sector, with the teacher deficit now standing at a staggering 98,261; a number expected to spike further by 2026 following the implementation of Senior Secondary School under the Competency-Based Curriculum (C.B.C).

The Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Dr. Nancy Macharia, has warned of a looming education crisis occasioned by inadequate budgetary allocation for the promotion and deployment of teachers across the country.

Dr. Macharia made the appeal during her appearance before the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) chaired by Hon. Eric Karemba (Runyenjes), where she presented a report on the Commission’s progress in fulfilling its constitutional mandate and the challenges hindering effective service delivery.

Dr. Macharia noted that although the government currently allocates Kshs.1 billion annually for teacher promotions, the amount is insufficient to cater to the growing number of eligible educators.

“Honourable Members, while we are grateful for the Kshs.1 billion allocated towards teacher promotions, the amount is only sufficient to promote 6,000 teachers out of a teaching force of over 500,000. This continues to demoralize deserving teachers and affect service delivery in our schools,” Dr. Macharia stated.

The lawmakers raised additional concerns regarding the equitable deployment of teachers and delays in employment of those already registered by the Commission. Hon. John Chikati (Tongaren) questioned regional disparities in the distribution of teachers, citing cases where counties such as Kakamega continue to receive fewer teachers compared to others.

“This Committee needs clarity on why some counties are disadvantaged in teacher allocations. We must ensure fairness in teacher deployment across all regions,” Hon. Chikati stated.

Hon. Benjamin Majjadonk (Embakasi Central) urged the Commission to prioritize unemployed teachers who have held TSC registration numbers for several years.

“Why is it that a teacher who graduated ten years ago remains jobless, while a recent graduate is employed immediately? TSC must consider fairness in employment to uphold public trust,” he said.

In her response, Dr. Macharia emphasized that teacher staffing is guided by legal frameworks, including the Curriculum-Based Establishment (CBE) and staffing norms developed for primary and junior secondary schools.

“Honourable Members, our staffing policy is driven by curriculum needs and national staffing norms. We have field officers mandated to oversee redeployments to ensure adherence to these guidelines,” she explained.

Earlier in her submission, the TSC CEO expressed concern over the rising teacher shortage, currently estimated at 98,261; a figure that includes deficits in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). She warned that the gap is expected to widen further in 2026 with the full rollout of Senior Schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

She further highlighted systemic challenges affecting the Commission, including the establishment of new public schools without corresponding funding for staff recruitment, inadequate numbers of teachers trained in CBC subject areas, growing demands in hardship regions, and occasional hostility from host communities.

Dr. Macharia urged the Committee to support enhanced funding for teacher management functions, warning that failure to do so could undermine the right to quality education as enshrined in Article 43 of the Constitution.