Why TSC will not be employing Primary School Teachers this year

Thousands of jobless primary school teachers, with P1 Certificates, have suffered a significant blow after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) confirmed it will not conduct fresh recruitment for primary institutions due to an existing staffing surplus.

The commission announced that upcoming hiring efforts will instead prioritise junior and senior secondary schools, a move that sidelines many qualified primary school teachers who have been awaiting employment opportunities.

This shift in recruitment strategy signals changing workforce demands within the education sector and leaves thousands of trained educators uncertain about their prospects.

Members of Parliament (MPs) have also raised concerns over the lack of recruitment plans for primary school teachers, questioning why TSC had not initiated hiring at the lower levels.

Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education on February 19, 2026, Acting TSC CEO Evelyn Mitei explained that the collapse of the 8-4-4 system had created a surplus of primary school teachers even as shortages persisted in Junior and Senior Schools.

“With the transition of learners to Junior Secondary, there is reduced demand at the primary level, but new pathways in upper levels require additional teachers,” she said.

However, she revealed that the Commission plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers for Junior and Senior Schools in the coming financial year at a cost of Ksh1.9 billion, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the teacher shortage that currently stands at about 116,000 nationwide.

“In the past three years, we have recruited 100,000 teachers. The 2026/27 plan continues this trajectory as we address shortages created by the Competency-Based Curriculum,” she added.

The legislators also raised concerns over the delayed promotion of teachers who have attained advanced academic qualifications, noting that many with master’s and PhD degrees remain unrecognised.

They also urged the regularisation of long-serving officers in acting positions, stressing that prolonged acting appointments are inconsistent with labour laws.

In response, TSC presented a budget proposal totalling Ksh422.9 billion, with allocations including Ksh2 billion for teacher promotions, Ksh1.5 billion for retooling educators in new learning areas, and Ksh7.2 billion to convert 20,000 interns into permanent and pensionable staff.

However, the Commission revealed significant budgetary constraints that could slow the implementation of key reforms.

These included the rollout of a new administrative structure for Junior Schools and the payment of acting allowances.

The CEO stated that no funds had been allocated for acting allowances, despite teachers continuing to shoulder administrative responsibilities, and appealed for parliamentary support to bridge the funding gaps.

According to the Budget Policy Statement, the Commission’s total proposed allocation for the 2026/27 financial year is Ksh422.96 billion, including the recruitment of 16,000 new teachers and the conversion of 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms.