The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has proposed a Sh422.9 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, outlining plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers and convert 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms.
In a presentation to the Departmental Committee on Education of the National Assembly, the commission said the new recruitment is aimed at addressing the teacher shortage, which has plagued the education sector for years despite hundreds of thousands of trained teachers being jobless.
According to the budget estimates, if approved, the TSC’s allocation will increase from Sh387.1 billion in the current financial year to Sh422.9 billion in 2026/27.
“In the financial year 2026/2027, the commission proposes to recruit an additional 16,000 teachers to continuously address the existing teacher shortage and achieve the envisioned goal under the government manifesto. Additionally, the commission has on-boarded all teachers (more than 400,000 teachers and 1,000,000 dependants) on to universal health coverage under the Social Health Authority,” said TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei.
Teachers Service Commission Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
The commission said Sh1.9 billion has been set aside for the recruitment of 16,000 teachers for junior and senior schools. Another Sh7.2 billion will be used to convert 20,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms.
The agency also plans to promote 12,000 teachers annually at a cost of Sh2 billion and implement the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement at a cost of Sh8.4 billion.
Additionally, Sh1.5 billion has been allocated for retooling teachers to handle new learning areas under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
“The commission’s key activities earmarked for the period include Implementation of the second phase of the 2025-2029 CBA at a cost of sh8.4 billion and the conversion of 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms at a cost of Sh7.2 billion.,” said Ms Mitei.
Further, the commission warned that several critical areas remain unfunded under the current budget framework. It noted that there is no provision within the current ceilings in the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) to cater for group life insurance, personal accident and Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA)
“There is no provision under the current ceilings in the BPS, for above covers. The estimated cost is Sh5.3 billion. The commission proposed an allocation in the BPS towards medical cover for teachers of Sh16.5 billion. This amount may not be adequate considering the number of additional teachers who have been recruited,” said Ms Mitei.
On field operations, the commission stated that the funds allocated to it do not match its resource requirements, creating strain in the delivery of quality services. It said it requires an additional Sh700 million to effectively carry out its operations.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Ms Mitei furher revealed that the TSC is planning to introduce a new administrative structure in junior schools as part of efforts to strengthen leadership and governance. Ms Mitei said the policy shift is intended to formalise management structures at the junior school level but acknowledged it will come with financial and operational implications.
“In a bid to strengthen leadership and governance in junior schools there is a proposed change in policy to provide for a new administrative structure,” she said.
She explained that the changes would require the appointment of heads of institutions and their deputies in junior schools, a move that will increase expenditure on personnel emoluments. Additional funding will also be needed to train and equip the newly appointed administrators with management skills.
“The change may necessitate recruitment of more teachers in junior school to comply with staffing norms. There will be need for expansion of school infrastructure as some schools might not have enough space to accommodate two separate administrative units. The change may face resistance from teacher unions and primary school heads,” said Ms Mitei.
However, Ms Mitei noted that staffing shortages, natural attrition and administrative gaps have forced some teachers to take up higher responsibilities in acting capacities.
In such cases, teachers perform duties of senior positions without substantive appointments, creating the need for compensation through acting allowances. Despite this, the commission disclosed that no funds have been allocated in the 2026/27 budget to cater for acting allowances.
“However, due lack of qualified teachers in certain areas, exits occasioned by natural attrition and administrative challenges, there are instances where teachers are called upon to perform duties of higher administrative posts hence the need to compensate them for the same. However, no funds have been allocated for Acting Allowance,” she said.
