As the National Assembly deliberates on the TSC (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the 2026/27 Budget Policy Statement this February, a massive expansion of the teaching workforce has taken center stage.
Article 22 focuses on the Commission’s aggressive strategy to eliminate the national teacher shortage, which currently stands at approximately 116,000. To bridge this gap, the TSC has requested a record Sh422.9 billion budget, with a significant portion dedicated to securing the future of both new graduates and those currently serving as interns.
The 16,000 New Hires for Junior and Senior Schools
With the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transitioning into upper grades, the demand for subject-specific teachers has hit a critical peak. The TSC has announced plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers specifically for Junior and Senior Schools in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Unlike previous years where recruitment was spread thin, this cohort will be strategically deployed to handle the “new pathways” in Senior Secondary Schools, ensuring that elective subjects like Performing Arts, Technical Studies, and Advanced Sciences are adequately staffed.
Ending the Internship Era: The Sh7.2 Billion Conversion
In a move that will provide immense relief to thousands of young educators, the TSC has earmarked Sh7.2 billion to convert 20,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable (P&P) terms.
This policy shift follows intense pressure from teachers’ unions and lawmakers who argued that the “internship” model had been overextended. By July 2026, these 20,000 educators will officially join the government payroll with full benefits, marking the largest single-batch conversion in the Commission’s history.
The Sh2 Billion Promotion Fund
Recruitment isn’t the only focus; the TSC is also addressing the stagnation of existing staff. Article 22 outlines a Sh2 billion allocation for the promotion of over 12,000 teachers. These promotions will target educators in Primary, Secondary, and Teacher Training Colleges who have been stuck in the same job groups for years despite acquiring higher qualifications.
This “promotion kitty” is intended to restore morale and ensure that the career ladder remains functional for high-performing staff.
Budgetary Friction: The 35 Billion Shilling Hike
The scale of these reforms has led to a requested budget increase of Sh35.7 billion compared to the previous year. While the Treasury has expressed caution, Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei has defended the figures, stating that the “human resource management” of 400,000+ teachers is the backbone of the country’s stability. Beyond salaries, the budget includes funding for:
ICT Integration: Training 23,000 teachers on remote learning and digital tools.
CBA Implementation: Sh8.4 billion for the second phase of the 2025–2029 salary agreement.
Specialized Retooling: Sh1.5 billion for CBC-specific training in new learning areas.
