CS Education Ogamba Faces Scrutiny as Cheruiyot Questions TSC on Regional Job Inequalities

CS Education Ogamba Faces Scrutiny as Cheruiyot Questions TSC on Regional Job Inequalities

During a tense Senate meeting, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot confronted Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Belio Kipsang Ogamba regarding significant disparities in employment within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recruitment process.

The senator voiced serious concerns about the unequal job placement rates for teacher graduates from different regions, accusing the system of discriminating against certain counties.

Senator Cheruiyot sought explanations from CS Ogamba on why some areas seem to be consistently overlooked in TSC’s hiring, despite the annual graduation of thousands of qualified candidates.

He stressed that fair employment opportunities are essential for national unity and progress, urging both the Ministry of Education and TSC to ensure equitable teacher recruitment practices.

“This House must be informed why qualified youth from certain counties are left waiting indefinitely while others are frequently hired,” Cheruiyot remarked during the session.

He also called for the release of employment statistics by county to promote transparency and accountability.

CS Ogamba, who appeared before the Senate Education Committee, committed to investigating the issue and working with TSC to ensure fairness.

He recognized the increasing frustrations among unemployed graduates and assured the Senate that reforms are in progress to tackle regional inequalities.

The session ignited renewed discussions nationwide about the responsibilities of TSC and the Ministry in providing equal job opportunities for all qualified teachers, regardless of their background.

Stakeholders are now looking for tangible actions to address these disparities and rebuild confidence in the teacher hiring process.

Meanwhile, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revealed that it is faced by a biting shortage of 98,281 teachers.

The commission’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia has also revealed that qualified and trained teachers were inadequate, given the insufficient budgetary allocations for the same.

Appearing before the National Assembly Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee, recently, Macharia told MPs that the lack of funds to hire teachers had led to a teacher’s shortage in public schools, consequently inhibiting on the children’s right to access basic quality education as enshrined under article 43 of the constitution.

“The teachers’ shortage currently stands at 98,261 and that includes Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. This number is however anticipated to rise next year after the roll out of senior schools. TSC has not achieved the optimal number of teachers since its establishment hence the need for more budgetary allocations,” she stated.