Teacher Shortage Hits 98,000 in Kenya, Causing Education Crisis

• Apr 09, 2025

Kenya is facing a looming crisis in the education sector, with a shortage of 98,261 teachers, according to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The shortage includes teachers for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), and this number is expected to increase by 2026 as senior schools are rolled out. TSC Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Macharia, addressed MPs, explaining that a lack of adequate funding for teacher recruitment is severely affecting public schools, ultimately hindering students' right to access quality education.

Macharia highlighted that the shortage of teachers, particularly qualified and trained personnel, has been an ongoing issue since the establishment of TSC. The commission has struggled to meet the optimal number of teachers needed across the country. She stressed the importance of more budgetary allocations to address this challenge, as it directly impacts the quality of education and the effectiveness of the teaching profession.

In addition to the shortage of teachers, Macharia also addressed the controversy surrounding teacher recruitment. She refuted claims that MPs have been involved in hiring teachers, clarifying that teacher recruitment is clearly outlined on the TSC website. These allegations, according to her, are baseless and have negatively affected the commission’s reputation.

Another concern raised by Macharia was the shortage of teachers qualified to teach new subjects introduced under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. These include specialized subjects such as leather craft, media technology, indigenous languages, and marine and fisheries technology. The TSC is struggling to find enough trained teachers to cover these new learning areas, further complicating the staffing crisis.

Macharia also warned that the rapid establishment of new schools without sufficient funding for teacher recruitment is exacerbating the problem. She called for better coordination between key stakeholders, including political leaders, to ensure that new schools are adequately staffed.

Additionally, Macharia noted that the commission has been unable to promote teachers as required due to budget constraints. As of December 2024, over 200,000 teachers were eligible for promotion but had not received the necessary recognition or advancement. She also mentioned that the health insurance coverage for teachers is inadequate, with insufficient budget allocations leading to gaps in coverage for teachers in need of medical care.

In light of these challenges, Macharia urged for more funding to address the teacher shortage and improve the overall working conditions for educators in the country.