The government has announced the promotion of 25,000 teachers and deployment of 20,000 interns to ease the 72,000 shortage in junior schools.
President William Ruto on Wednesday said he has prioritised teacher support and leadership development to strengthen the Competency-Based Education and ensure a smooth transition to senior school in January.
“This year, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is promoting 25,000 teachers,” President Ruto said during the official opening of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association annual conference in Mombasa.
Education CS Julius Ogamba at the Kenya Primary School Heads Association summit in Mombasa.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
He said the government is committed to equipping every child with the knowledge, character and competencies needed to thrive in a changing world.
“Leadership is the pillar of lasting reform. Without it, even the boldest policies are rendered hollow,” he said, adding that the reforms are designed to deliver continuity, equity and access in learning.
TSC Acting Chief Executive Eveleen Mitei recently said junior schools remain starved of tutors despite ongoing hiring.
Just 83,129 teachers are handling millions of learners in Grades Seven, Eight and Nine.
From the 2022/23 financial year, the government has recruited 56,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms and 20,000 interns.
However, TSC has reported a growing trend of qualified teachers rejecting internship offers.
Dr Ruto said the government has made strides in reforming education by shifting from rote learning to mastery, from examinations to assessment and from schooling for certificates to learning for life.
“We have transitioned learners from primary to junior school and are finalising preparations for senior school,” he said.
He highlighted progress in technical and vocational education and training, where the government has expanded and aligned nearly 240 institutions to industry needs and implemented the Recognition of Prior Learning framework to validate informal skills.
The President added that reforms in university education have focused on student-centred funding, innovation and deeper industry partnerships to enhance relevance and employability.
He said the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms created a framework that links learning to livelihoods, enterprise and innovation, ensuring students’ ability, talent and passion guide their progression.
“None of these can succeed without school heads. You are the bridge between national policy and classroom impact, the custodians of learning at its most foundational level,” Dr Ruto said.
“We recognise your responsibility in managing institutions, guiding teachers, safeguarding learners and anchoring communities.”
He said the government prioritises continuous professional development, digitising of school administration through the Kenya Education Management Information System and strong financial accountability frameworks in learning institutions.
Dr Ruto said the government is finalising syllabus designs and assessment frameworks in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and the Kenya National Examinations Council to ensure coherence and progression.
“The government has built 23,000 classrooms and 1,600 laboratories, integrating green technology and digital infrastructure to boost learning,” he said.
