The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) is engaging the government on modalities of recruiting into permanent terms over 20,000 teachers who have been working as interns to bridge the existing shortage.
According to TSC Director of Quality Assurance Dr Reuben Nthamburi, the recruitment once finalised through adequate government funding will be a huge boost in addressing the teacher shortage that has affected the new Junior Secondary Schools.
Dr Nthamburi lauded the government’s commitment towards enhancing quality education after it recruited 56,000 teachers last year noting that the employment of another 20,000 will bridge the teacher shortage that stands at 116,000.
The Director at the same time added that TSC is in the process of promoting 35,000 teachers who have for years stagnated at job groups which he said is being undertaken transparently.
In addition, he said they are engaging the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) officials to resolve any issues after the latter queried the promotion process.
Dr Nthamburi was speaking in Naivasha during a consultative meeting to enhance the uptake of Science, Mathematics and Technology (STEM) in schools through the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa [CEMESTEA].
The Director emphasised that the commission is keen to support the uptake of STEM subjects by learners to drive creativity, and innovation much needed to support the country’s industrialisation agenda.
“TSC will support the recommendations of ensuring 60 per cent of learners undertake STEM subjects, 15 per cent in sports and Arts and 25 per cent in social sciences to strike a balance,” said Dr Nthamburi.
Consequently, the TSC will also support CEMESTEA’s progressive actions by ensuring adequate funding to ensure continuous teacher training through professional development programmes that will be cascaded to counties.
On her part, CEMESTEA CEO Jecinta Akatsa said already in partnership with the Education Ministry, TSC and other sector players have rolled out teacher training to enhance their capacity and stimulate creativity and innovation among learners.
Akatsa said they have rolled out coding training in five counties where the government has provided modern devices needed, an initiative which will guide full implementation to other schools.
To stimulate creativity in learners, Akatsa said they have rolled out school competitions where students can showcase their innovativeness and creative ideas in solving today’s challenges and easing operations.
“CEMESTEA will continue to capacity-build science-oriented teachers who will be key to cultivating early drive among students to immerse themselves in STEM subjects,” said Akatsa.
By Erastus Gichohi
