P1 teachers protest delay in JSS deployments as TSC cite lack of fund
Primary school teachers who submitted applications for deployment to junior secondary schools (JSS) are now urging the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to speed up the deployment process.
The teachers turned to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the Commission’s delay in the process that aims to deploy 6,000 P1 teachers to JSS.
TSC launched the online application process on January 13, but nearly three months later, the portal remains active with no closure in sight.
The teachers are requesting that the Commission conclude the application process and initiate the document verification process to facilitate their promotion to junior secondary.
The deployment of primary school teachers to JSS is part of TSC’s promotion strategy that aims to mitigate job stagnation.
Nonetheless, the recent statement by TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia, indicating that they are unable to promote enough teachers each year due to inadequate funding, raises concerns at a time when teachers have applied for deployment.
During her appearance on Tuesday before the National Assembly Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) led by Hon. Eric Karemba (Runyenjes), Macharia cautioned about a potential education crisis due to insufficient budget allocations for the promotion and deployment of teachers nationwide.
She was providing a report on the Commission’s advancement in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and the obstacles obstructing effective service delivery.
Dr. Macharia pointed out that while the government assigns Ksh. 1 billion each year for teacher promotions, this sum is inadequate to meet the increasing number of eligible teachers.
“Honourable Members, though we appreciate the Kshs. 1 billion allocated for teacher promotions, this sum is only enough to promote 6,000 teachers from a teaching force exceeding 500,000. This continues to discourage deserving teachers and impacts service delivery in our schools,” Dr. Macharia expressed.
Macharia stated that TSC requires Ksh. 5 billion annually to promote teachers and effectively mitigate stagnation.
She was replying after lawmakers raised issues regarding the challenges surrounding teacher promotions.
The Commission has been receiving an annual budget of Ksh. 1 billion for promoting teachers, which Macharia referred to as a minimal amount.
“With only one billion shillings, we can promote just 6,000 teachers. We need five billion annually to completely address stagnation,” explained Macharia.
The Commission has been encouraged to revise its strict requirements for deploying P1 teachers to JSS in the interest of students.
Instead, Knut advised TSC to retrain the PTE teachers and permit them to instruct the Grade 7, 8, and 9 students.
Originally, TSC intended to deploy primary school teachers possessing any education-related diploma and degree certificate to JSS but later withdrew this decision.
In the deployment initiative, TSC requires practicing P1 teachers to hold a degree in secondary education with a minimum grade of C+ in KCSE and at least C+ in two teaching subjects.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia disclosed that the Commission needs a total of 72,422 teachers to remedy the teacher shortage in JSS.
Current teacher deficit in junior and senior secondary, which begins next year, is at 98,261.
Macharia stated that the Commission needs a total of 149,350 teachers to manage Grade 7, 8, and 9.
She mentioned that at present TSC has appointed 76,928 teachers in junior secondary, which amounts to 51. 5% of the needed total.
This includes 39,550 junior secondary school teachers who were initially hired under internship agreements but have since been confirmed.
Additionally, 8,378 P1 teachers were assigned to JSS in 2023 and 2024, alongside 9,000 JSS teachers who were appointed on permanent and pensionable contracts.
The government has also allocated sh 4. 8 billion, which TSC utilized to hire 20,000 JSS teachers on internship agreements.
Macharia indicated that TSC has retooled a cumulative total of 229,292 teachers on Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency Based Assessment (CBA) since April 2019.
She expressed that a total of 60,642 JSS teachers have been retooled from May 2023 to November 2024.
TSC intends to employ an extra 18,000 JSS intern teachers in December to fill the staffing void.
The Commission is facing pressure to tackle an impending teacher crisis in JSS, as the current teacher to class ratio is 1:1;
Since 2019, the Commission has been assigning P1 teachers as a method of promotion following numerous grievances about stagnation from primary school educators who advanced their academic qualifications.
In the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, a total of 1,000 P1 teachers were assigned each year to secondary schools, while from 2022 to 2024, approximately 8,378 teachers were assigned to support the initial cohorts of the CBC in JSS.
Upon closing the application process, the Commission will commence document verification for shortlisted candidates.
This process will be conducted by the TSC Sub-County Director, who will then provide the teacher with an appointment (deployment) letter.
The Sub-County Directors are instructed to sign two deployment letters for each educator.
One letter will be given to the educator, while the second original letter must be submitted along with other deployment documentation for storage at the headquarters.
The deployment will take into account proximity to the existing station. Teachers will be assigned to their current stations or those in close proximity to their current ones.
Other considerations during the deployment will include subject combination, gender, and SNE qualification, with teachers holding SNE qualifications being assigned to Special JSS.
Candidates are expected to provide the following documentation during the verification process:
i) Original and copy of the degree/diploma certificate;
ii) Original and copies of the academic transcripts;
iii) Original and copy of SNE qualification (if applicable);
iv) Original and copy of the KCSE certificate (or an equivalent);
v) A copy of the current payslip;
vi) A declaration from the Head of Institution stating that the teacher is currently employed at the school and is neither under interdiction nor facing a disciplinary process.
Primary School teachers wishing to be deployed to JSS must be qualified to teach in secondary schools. The teacher MUST meet the following requirements:
i) Have an active registration as a teacher with the Teachers Service Commission.
ii) Is employed as a primary school teacher with the Teachers Service Commission.
iii) Should not be currently serving an interdiction or undergoing a disciplinary process.
iv) Have a minimum of a Diploma in Education with a minimum of C+ at KCSE (or it’s equivalent) with C+ in two teaching subjects currently being offered in the school curriculum (either under 8-4-4 or CBC) or two (2) principles and one (1) subsidiary pass at “A” Level.
At least 8 units in each of the two teaching subjects.
Those with a minimum of C (plain) at KCSE (or its equivalent) and have undertaken a Diploma in Education together with a Bachelor Degree in Education qualify.
v) The degree certificate must be Bachelor of Education. Bachelor of Education (Primary Option) holders are not eligible.